Abuja: The Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has launched a new book that aims to correct misconceptions, provide context, and share firsthand accounts of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. Mohammed made this announcement in Abuja during the presentation of his book, ‘Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the book is described by Mohammed as a personal effort to document his work as the longest-serving Minister of Information and Culture in Nigeria’s history. It covers various aspects including information, culture, tourism, and national orientation. The former minister stated that the book places his experiences within the wider context of how government policies under the Buhari administration were shaped and communicated to Nigerians.
He highlighted his eight-year tenure at the center of government communication, crisis management, national orientation, culture, and tourism. Mohammed shared that he witnessed firsthand how decisions were made and narratives were shaped, often overshadowed by misinformation. He emphasized the importance of correcting misconceptions and providing context through firsthand accounts that history must remember.
Mohammed expressed his belief that Africans must tell their own stories to avoid distortion. He stressed that his long access to government decision-making placed a responsibility on him to preserve an accurate record. The book offers insights into tough decisions made during his tenure, moments when he nearly resigned, and government communication strategies during the 2023 elections. It also delves into the recovery of stolen artefacts and engagement with the Bring Back Our Girls movement.
When asked if the book was written to defend Buhari’s legacy, Mohammed stated that the truth required no defense. He added that the administration’s achievements were documented through the Scorecard series and a legacy portal. Mohammed expressed hope that the book would serve as a resource for researchers, media professionals, and students of politics, communication, and public relations.
The book reviewer, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, former Presidential Spokesperson and Chairman of the Thisday Editorial Board, described the publication as an important insider account of the Buhari administration. Adeniyi noted that the 584-page book serves as a historical document, policy defense, and, at times, a rebuttal to critics of both the Buhari administration and the former Minister of Information and Culture.
Adeniyi highlighted the book’s valuable insider accounts of government communication during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the prolonged P and ID arbitration case, and media tours of security-affected areas and Nigeria’s digital switchover. He praised the chapters on Nigeria’s efforts to repatriate stolen artefacts, including the Benin Bronzes, and the restoration of the National Theatre as compelling and informative.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by the former minister in managing government communication amid intense opposition and misinformation, Adeniyi noted that the book showed limited self-criticism and a tendency to conflate disagreement with misinformation.