Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Nigerian government to collaborate with other nations to mount diplomatic pressure on the United States over the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel.
Falana made the call on Thursday while speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria criticised the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of disregarding international law and United Nations resolutions.
According to him, Nigeria should revive its tradition of multilateral diplomacy by working with other countries to encourage restraint and push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Falana said Nigeria should engage major global powers such as Russia and China to intervene diplomatically in the crisis.
He argued that both countries have considerable influence over Iran and could help reduce tensions in the region.
“Our duty as a country, as we used to do in the past during the era of non-alignment, is to collaborate with other countries to mount pressure on Mr Trump,” he said.
The rights activist also urged Nigeria to focus on strengthening its own security institutions instead of relying on foreign powers for stability.
He stressed that the country must adequately equip its armed forces and police to effectively maintain law and order.
Falana noted that Nigerian troops have historically performed well in international peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
Falana further criticised the state of Nigeria’s refining sector, questioning why the country’s four government-owned refineries remain inactive despite billions of dollars reportedly spent on their rehabilitation.
He warned that relying mainly on the Dangote Refinery for refined petroleum products raises concerns about Nigeria’s long-term energy strategy.
The war between the United States, Israel and Iran began on February 28, 2026, following joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets.
The conflict has continued into its second week, with Iran launching missile strikes on U.S. bases and allied targets across the Middle East.
The war has also disrupted global oil supply after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route for crude oil.
As a result, global oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel, triggering fuel price increases in several countries, including Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Nigerian government has begun evacuating citizens from the region, with officials confirming that some Nigerians in Iran were being escorted across the Armenian border as part of emergency evacuation efforts.
