A foreign policy expert and international diplomat, Olutoyin Oloniteru, has urged Nigeria to take decisive steps to confront security threats allegedly originating from neighbouring countries harbouring terrorist groups.
Oloniteru made the call while delivering a lecture at the 2026 Diplomatic Exposure programme of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, where he addressed students on contemporary issues in international politics and global security.
Speaking on the topic ‘Contemporary International Politics: Peace by Force and the Challenges of International Law,’ the diplomat said international law allows a country to enter another state’s territory under specific circumstances, particularly in self-defence or with the authorisation of the United Nations Security Council.
He argued that Nigeria would not be violating international law if it takes necessary steps to defend its territorial integrity and protect its citizens from terrorist attacks reportedly emanating from neighbouring countries such as Niger and Burkina Faso.
Oloniteru insisted that persistent attacks by terrorist groups continue to threaten lives, livelihoods, and national security, stressing that every sovereign nation has the responsibility to safeguard its citizens.
Oloniteru, who is Chairman of the Labour Migration Advisory Committee for Employers, LMACE, and a member of the Expert Group of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in Vienna, also called for reforms of the United Nations Security Council to make it more responsive to emerging global challenges.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Philip Gbenro Oguntunde, said the Diplomatic Exposure initiative is designed to give students practical insights into international relations by engaging experienced diplomats and global policy experts.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, Joseph Fabayo, commended the students for their composure and intellectual engagement during the programme.
The acting Head of the Department of International Relations, Tunde Fajimbola, said the theme of the 2026 Diplomatic Exposure was chosen to encourage critical thinking among students on global crises and the role of diplomacy in achieving sustainable peace.
He added that the programme remains one of the university’s key academic engagements, aimed at strengthening experiential learning and exposing students to practical global perspectives in international relations.