Ex-minister Lai Mohammed floats national literacy initiative

He announced that since the launch of the book on December 17, last year, complimentary copies have been donated to two other higher institutions - Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta - with Yakubu Gowon University becoming the third beneficiary.

“God willing, many more institutions across the country will be reached in the months ahead,” he added.

Describing the book as an insider’s account of governance and strategic communication, Mohammed said: “Headlines & Soundbites is an insider’s chronicle of governance, communication and nation-building during the immediate past federal administration. It is written by my humble self as the longest-serving Minister of Information and Culture in Nigeria’s history.”

The former minister explained that the book spans his nearly eight-year tenure - from 2015 to 2023 - and documents the stewardship of a ministry covering information management, cultural development, tourism promotion and national orientation.

“The book offers a rare, behind-the-scenes account of how key national policies were conceived, defended and communicated in real time. It provides valuable context on some of the most contested media and policy flashpoints of the period, including the suspension of Twitter, now X; the reporting and public narratives surrounding the #EndSARS protests; and Nigeria’s communication strategy during the high-stakes US$9.6 billion P&ID arbitration case.”

According to him, the book captures pivotal national moments such as the COVID-19 response, the resuscitation of the National Theatre, the unprecedented strategic communication campaign for the 2023 general election, and a tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Above all, it documents the various communication strategies we deployed to ensure that Nigerians were properly informed about government policies and programmes in a period of intense public scrutiny,” he said.

Explaining his motivation, Mohammed emphasised the importance of Africans documenting their history.

“I have always believed that Africans must tell their own stories, lest they be distorted or misrepresented by others. My privileged access to the inner workings of government for about eight years places a duty upon me to preserve an accurate historical record, clarify misconceptions and provide context where it has often been missing,” he said.

The former minister described the publication as a contribution to Nigeria’s contemporary history, which would be incomplete if those who had the opportunity to serve at the highest levels of government do not document their experiences for the benefit of posterity.

Mohammed also highlighted the Federal Government Town Hall Meetings as one of his most significant achievements in office.

“I remain firmly convinced that effective communication in governance is not merely a bureaucratic function, but the vital bridge between government and the governed.”

He explained that the town hall meetings, launched in Lagos in April 2016, were conceived to deepen participatory democracy and rebuild public trust.

“These town hall meetings, which we launched in Lagos in April 2016, were a deliberate effort to deepen participatory democracy. They created opportunities for ministers to engage directly with citizens, explain policies, address concerns and respond to sometimes tough and uncomfortable questions,” he stated.

He noted that the meetings were broadcast live to ensure transparency and were held 21 times across the six geopolitical zones, including in states governed by opposition parties.

The ex-minister also expressed gratitude to the university authorities, particularly the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, for accepting the donation, adding that both staff and students will find the book a valuable resource for learning, reflection and research.

Fawehinmi thanked Mohammed for finding the university worthy of the donation.

“By putting this book in our library, it will open another vista for seasoned academics in that area and students alike to that book as a veritable reference material of the very valued history of that administration.

“I believe this is a masterpiece and is something that will be good for our intellectual edification and for the memory of that administration,” he said.

The book donation was witnessed by the Registrar of the university, Mallam Mohammed Sambo; University Librarian, Prof. Ebele Anyaoku; the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Titus Sunday Ibekwe; management staff and students of the university.