Lai Mohammed Highlights Communication in Governance

Lai Mohammed, the former Minister of Information and Culture, spoke on the significance of communication as a central driver of governance during a high-level interactive session at St. John's College, Cambridge, organized by the Cambridge University Nigeria Society. He argued that modern governance cannot separate information management from communication, especially in the digital era, which fundamentally changes the relationship between government and citizens.

Mohammed noted that information continues to contest the public space, requiring governments to adopt transparent and responsive communication strategies, particularly through social media, which accelerates the spread of information and misinformation. He referenced the COVID-19 pandemic as a critical example where communication played a vital role in public compliance regarding health measures.

Additionally, he addressed the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria during his tenure, describing it as a difficult policy decision driven by national security concerns. Mohammed served as Minister from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.