Lai Mohammed Addresses Misinformation in Abuja Lecture

Lai Mohammed, who served as the Minister of Information and Culture from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, spoke at a guest lecture at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja. He warned that misinformation has evolved into a serious risk factor for both government and private organizations, particularly in the digital age.

Mohammed outlined the importance of building public trust and safeguarding against reputational damage during crises. He emphasized that communication should be a central pillar of leadership and should not merely be treated as a public relations tool.

He discussed the need for credible messaging and real-time monitoring to counter misinformation, citing experiences from major national challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest. Mohammed concluded by stating that proactive communication strategies are essential for organizations to withstand crises without incurring reputational harm.