Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has warned the Federal Government that dependence on foreign powers will not guarantee internal security.
Falana urged the Nigerian government to urgently reorganise the country and properly equip its armed forces and police.
Speaking on Politics Today on Thursday, he said Nigeria must draw hard lessons from current global conflicts, arguing that sovereignty and security cannot be outsourced to allies such as the United States (US).
He pointed to the war involving Iran, saying the crisis underlined the limits of foreign protection when national institutions are weak.
Falana also referenced Cuba, claiming that US policies under Donald Trump had contributed to severe humanitarian challenges, including fuel shortages.
“He has imposed a humanitarian crisis in Cuba. No fuel goes to Cuba, and you know what that means in the case of Nigeria. That is why Nigeria must wake up,” Falana said.
According to him, Nigeria should emulate Iran’s emphasis on self-reliance in defence and policing rather than expecting external powers to ensure law and order.
“Unless you reorganise your own country, unless you equip your armed forces and your police, there is no way an imperialist country like America will guarantee law and order in your country,” he stated.
Falana recalled a controversial Christmas Day announcement in 2025 in which Trump claimed responsibility for air strikes on Nigerian territory targeting terrorists.
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He argued that the development coincided with a worsening security situation nationwide.
“Since December, when this man on Christmas Day told the whole world, ‘I have struck a Nigerian and killed terrorists’, terrorism has been on the increase in our country,” he said.
The SAN called on the government to reassess its security strategy and invest more in domestic capacity, noting Nigeria’s long record of professional military service in international peacekeeping missions.
“These are patriotic forces that have earned medals in United Nations operations and in ECOMOG missions. They must be properly equipped,” Falana added.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following coordinated US and Israeli air strikes across Iran in late February under Operation Epic Fury, which targeted military and strategic facilities.
Iran has since launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks and disrupted oil shipping routes by closing the Strait of Hormuz.
The lawyer also referenced Washington’s decision in November 2025 to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), alongside threats of possible military action over alleged failures to curb violence against Christians.
While Abuja rejected those allegations, it has continued to collaborate with the US on intelligence sharing and military assistance, cooperation that reportedly preceded the Christmas Day strikes against terrorist groups, including ISIS affiliates in north-west Nigeria.
Falana concluded that Nigeria must “return to the drawing board” and strengthen its own security institutions if it hopes to restore stability and protect its sovereignty.