Media mogul and former senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, has expressed grave concerns over what he believes is the unavoidable onset of a third world war, warning that a global conflict driven by escalating violence, widespread access to dangerous weapons, and volatile leadership may soon engulf much of the world. However, he firmly predicted that Africa, particularly Nigeria, would emerge as a safe refuge amid the destruction.
Speaking during a live interview with global affairs strategist, Dane Waters, on Tuesday, the founder of the Silverbird Group described the international climate as increasingly unstable. He attributed this to the presence of what he called “trigger-happy” leaders and a world gradually spiraling out of control due to unrestrained militarisation and reckless geopolitical posturing.
According to Murray-Bruce, history is dangerously close to repeating itself, with patterns similar to those that led to World War I and II beginning to re-emerge. Citing examples from 1917, 1939, and 1945, he pointed to the Korean and Vietnam wars as additional indicators of how aggressive leadership and unchecked access to military power often lead nations into devastating conflicts.
“We are in serious danger,” Murray-Bruce warned. “The violence we’re seeing around the world, the ease with which people can access weapons, and the kind of leaders being elected, who don’t care about consequences, point to an inevitable war. It’s not the people who start wars, it’s the leaders. And unfortunately, we’re electing too many people who shouldn’t be anywhere near power.”
Despite the grim forecast, the former Bayelsa senator was optimistic about Nigeria’s position in the event of a global war. He explained that the country’s lack of nuclear ambitions, its peaceful foreign policy, and strong diplomatic ties within the West African region would protect it from becoming a target or battleground in the next world conflict.
“The beauty of World War III, if we can call it that, is that it won’t touch Africa,” he said. “Africa will be spared. Nigeria will be safe. We don’t want nuclear weapons, we have no territorial ambitions, and we are friends with our neighbours. Nobody is looking at Nigeria as a threat, and that is our greatest strength.”
In a rather bold declaration, Murray-Bruce even suggested that Nigeria could serve as a haven for refugees and displaced persons from countries ravaged by war, particularly from the West and the Middle East. He mentioned that while Nigerians would be welcoming, such hospitality would come with structured immigration policies.
“Yes, the rest of the world might be destroyed, and we’ll be here, safe. And when Americans, Israelis, Iranians come knocking, we’ll welcome them, but they’ll need visas,” he said. “We’re not going to treat you badly. We’ll treat you well, but you won’t just walk in as immigrants. You’ll follow the rules like everyone else.”
His comments come at a time of heightened global tensions, with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine showing no sign of de-escalation, and increasing hostilities in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel, which have been trading missile attacks, drone strikes, and aerial bombardments.
Murray-Bruce’s remarks have sparked conversations on social media and among policy analysts, many of whom see his perspective as both a warning and a call to reassess how nations prepare for global instability. While his prediction may seem dire, it echoes a growing fear that the world is inching closer to another major conflict, one that, in his view, could turn Nigeria into an unexpected sanctuary for survivors.
