Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Former Minister of Information and Culture has provided fresh insights into some of the most contentious episodes of the Buhari administration, stating that “headlines can be more powerful than facts” in influencing how Nigerians perceive government actions.
During a book reading event at Rovingheights Bookshop in Abuja on Thursday, Mohammed discussed his newly published memoir, “Media Moments That Define An Administration,” offering reflections on what he termed the “complexities of governing Nigeria in the age of instant headlines and social media hysteria.”
Addressing an audience comprising media practitioners, political figures, and readers, the former government spokesperson identified three critical moments that shaped his tenure: reshaping the narrative surrounding Boko Haram, responding to opposition criticism through documented achievements, and navigating the communication fallout from the #EndSARS protests and Twitter suspension.
Mohammed recalled his initial shock upon assuming office in November 2015 at the gap between military progress against Boko Haram and prevailing perceptions of government inaction.
“Despite the efforts of the military to reclaim territories, the narrative—both locally and internationally—was that the government was doing nothing,” he explained.
Seeking to challenge what he characterized as misinformation with direct evidence, Mohammed organized a media tour, bringing 40 local and international journalists to Maiduguri and subsequently to recently liberated areas including Konduga, Kaori, and Bama.
“When I entered Bama on December 5, 2015, I thought I was in Afghanistan. Road signs were in Arabic. Boko Haram had deposed emirs and were collecting taxes. That visit brought me face-to-face with the reality of war and the sacrifices of our soldiers,” he recounted.
While journalists covering the tour independently confirmed military successes, Mohammed noted that doubt persisted among some observers, with critics suggesting the government had staged the exercise.
“I told one governor who challenged me: ‘I have been there. You go too. Come back and tell Nigerians what you saw.’ That ended the debate,” he said.
He also described having to obtain presidential authorization—while President Muhammadu Buhari was traveling abroad—before proceeding with the media tour, calling it his “first lesson in how complex governance can be.”
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