- Nigerian peace advocate urges diplomacy, warns of global consequences, and highlights Nigeria’s moral responsibility in global peace efforts.
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
As tensions in the Middle East spiral following U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Nigerian statesman and global peace advocate, Hon. Sodiq Omotayo, has issued a passionate call for diplomatic intervention to prevent a wider regional war with global repercussions.
In an official statement dated June 22, 2025, Hon. Omotayo described the unfolding crisis between the United States, Israel, and Iran as “a dangerous new phase” in an already fragile global order. He stressed the need for the international community to act with urgency and courage, emphasizing that “war is not inevitable—peace is always an option if we are brave enough to pursue it.”
Omotayo traced the origins of the current conflict back to the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), which was dismantled in 2018 by the Trump administration. This, he said, marked the beginning of renewed distrust and emboldened Iran to resume high-level uranium enrichment. The recent strikes by the U.S. on key Iranian sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, according to him, represent “the culmination of years of broken agreements and failed diplomacy.”
He also highlighted the role of Israel, calling attention to its “undeclared nuclear arsenal” and “shadow role” in covert operations that have targeted Iranian infrastructure and scientists over the years—raising the risk of retaliation from Tehran.
With Iran now vowing retaliation, Hon. Omotayo warned of imminent threats to regional and global stability. These include potential missile attacks, proxy warfare via groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, and even the possibility of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil trade flows.
“The implications of such actions would be catastrophic—not only for the Middle East but for the entire global economy, including Nigeria,” he noted.
In what he termed a “moment for bold diplomacy,” Omotayo called on global institutions such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union to demand an immediate ceasefire, a return to nuclear negotiations, and fair global nuclear disarmament.
He stressed the protection of civilian lives and vital infrastructure, underscoring that diplomacy—not force—remains the only viable path forward.
Highlighting Nigeria’s historical legacy in peacekeeping and mediation, Omotayo urged the Nigerian government to rise above neutrality.
“As a leading voice in Africa, Nigeria must not be a bystander. We must use our diplomatic weight and moral influence to join the global call for peace,” he said.
In closing, Hon. Sodiq Omotayo offered a sobering reminder of the human cost of war. He urged world leaders to resist the politics of vengeance and instead “choose wisdom over destruction, diplomacy over devastation.”
“Let this be a moment where the world chooses the promise of peace—for our children, for the voiceless, and for generations yet unborn.”