Prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to work with other nations to mount diplomatic pressure on the United States President Donald Trump to end its ongoing military aggression in Iran.
Falana made the call during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday night.
Falana argued that Nigeria should revive its tradition of multilateral diplomacy to promote adherence to international law.
He criticised President Trump for his military role in Iran, accusing him of disregarding international legal frameworks and United Nations resolutions.
“President Trump has no regard and shows contempt for international law. Hence, he has pulled the United States out of about 66 resolutions of the United Nations. To him, the resolutions of the United Nations mean nothing,” Falana said.
He urged Nigeria to take a proactive diplomatic role similar to the country’s engagement during the era of the Non-Aligned Movement by joining forces with other countries to push for restraint in the escalating conflict.
“Our duty as a country, as we used to do in the past, is to collaborate with other countries. When you talk of the days of non-alignment, we must now move very speedily to collaborate with other countries to mount pressure on Mr Trump,” he said.
Falana also emphasised the need for Nigeria and other nations to encourage major global powers such as China and Russia to intervene diplomatically, noting that both countries wield influence over Iran.
“We need to persuade China and Russia to intervene because those are the two countries that Iran will listen to,” he added.
Beyond the international crisis, Falana urged Nigeria to strengthen its internal security architecture and reduce dependence on foreign powers for national stability.
“Nigeria must wake up. We must learn from Iran that unless you reorganise your own country, unless you equip your armed forces and your police force, there is no way an imperialist country like America will guarantee law and order in your country,” he said.
He called on the Federal Government to reassess its approach to strengthening the nation’s security institutions, pointing out that Nigerian troops have historically demonstrated strong performance in international peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
Falana also criticised the handling of Nigeria’s refining sector, questioning why the country’s state-owned refineries remain inactive despite billions of dollars spent on rehabilitation.
“If we say we have four refineries, nobody is talking about them any longer. The NNPC now solely relies on the Dangote Refinery. Is that how to run a country? After carrying money down the drain, about $2.9 billion was spent on the maintenance of our four refineries,” he said.
His remarks come as hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran continue to escalate, raising global concerns over security, humanitarian conditions and economic stability in the Middle East and beyond.
The war in Iran began on February 28, 2026, following joint airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, targeting key leadership figures and strategic infrastructure.
The strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who has now been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Meanwhile, the war has seen continued air raids on Iranian targets and retaliatory missile attacks by Iran against U.S. military facilities and targets in Israel and several Gulf countries.
The humanitarian toll has been severe, as reports indicate that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in Iran, while about 3.2 million people have been displaced.
In Lebanon, Israeli strikes against Hezbollah have reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 600 people.
At least seven American soldiers have also been reported killed, while Iran has continued launching missile strikes against U.S. and allied interests across the region.
The war has also triggered disruptions in global energy markets, following Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil shipments, which has driven crude oil prices above $100 per barrel.
To ease supply pressures, the International Energy Agency has announced plans to release about 400 million barrels of crude oil into the market.
Diplomatic tensions remain high, with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian insisting that hostilities will only cease if Iran’s rights are recognised, compensation is paid, and guarantees against further attacks are provided.
However, President Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” while Israeli authorities say their military operations will continue for as long as necessary.
The ripple effects of the war are also being felt in Nigeria, where rising global oil prices have contributed to sharp increases in petrol costs.
Pump prices have surged to between ₦1,075 and ₦1,300 per litre in several parts of the country, raising fears of increased transportation and food prices.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has begun evacuating its citizens from the region.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said Nigerians living in Iran are being escorted across the Armenian border, with no casualties reported so far.
Despite the evacuation efforts, several Nigerians remain stranded in transit locations across the Middle East due to flight cancellations and airspace closures caused by the conflict.