Prof. Femi Otubanjo, a research professor at the Institute of International Affairs, has warned that Nigeria could potentially be targeted by the United States in the future amid ongoing military conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on The Morning Show, Prof. Otubanjo said countries such as Cuba and South Africa might also become targets, and stressed that nations without nuclear capabilities, including Nigeria, could be at risk.
He argued that the US military-industrial complex thrives on sustained conflict, with the American economy significantly driven by warfare and arms sales. “The military industrial complex in America is a constant, and they are always looking for war. As we speak, if you count the number of times Americans have intervened and fought, we are talking about over 58 times. So it’s an economy that is based on war,” he said.
Prof. Otubanjo further suggested that President Donald Trump, known for his assertive rhetoric, would align with the interests of the military establishment. He added:
“So when Trump came in and was doing his usual boasting, ‘I can do this, I can transform. I can change the direction of the wind or challenge direction of the sun,’ it was obvious that the military industrial complex haven’t walked up to him. They look for war because they have to sell their weapons. And so the United States has a lot to gain. But beyond the United States, Trump himself has a lot to gain from this war.”
The professor warned that following Iran, other countries could be drawn into conflicts:
“It’s not going to be Iran, after Iran, there will be others. There will be Cuba, there will be South Africa. And if we are not lucky, there will be Nigeria. If you are not a nuclear power then be prepared for Trump.”
His comments highlight concerns over the broader geopolitical implications of the US-led operations in the Middle East and the potential risks to countries outside the immediate conflict zone.