Alhaji Lai Mohammed, a former Minister of Information and Culture, reflected on his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 as a culmination of years of trust, loyalty, and shared convictions, rather than a singular event. In his recently launched book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, Mohammed chronicles his nearly eight-year tenure as information minister under Buhari.
The book was launched in Abuja on December 17, 2025, coinciding with what would have been Buhari’s 83rd birthday. Mohammed recounted the period following Buhari’s inauguration on May 29, 2015, noting the delay in cabinet appointments. He was appointed to the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Committee in April 2015, a move that underscored the trust Buhari had in him, as he was brought on board after the other committee members had already been named.
In the book, Mohammed details a pivotal phone call from Buhari that led to his appointment. During the conversation, Buhari inquired about Mohammed’s whereabouts and asked why he was not attending the inaugural meeting of the Transition Committee. Mohammed explained that he was not a member of the committee, leading to a call from Buhari’s assistant, Tunde, to deliver his appointment letter.
Mohammed expressed that he did not feel slighted by his initial exclusion from the committee, but rather was pleased with the party’s electoral victory. This appointment marked the beginning of a strong and cordial relationship between him and Buhari, which lasted until the former President’s passing on July 13, 2025.
He also shared an anecdote about being asked to assist the spokesmen ahead of Buhari’s 100th day in office, indicating the President’s growing confidence in him even before his official cabinet appointment. Mohammed’s relationship with Buhari dates back to 2012, when he invited Buhari to write the foreword for his first book, Witness to History, a request that the then-President graciously accepted.
Throughout the years leading up to the 2015 elections, Mohammed, who was an opposition spokesman for the Action Congress of Nigeria and later the APC, participated in meetings with Buhari and other political leaders, fostering a foundation of mutual respect and shared political ideals.
Reflecting on his nearly eight years of service, Mohammed emphasized that his experience allowed him to witness Buhari’s dedication to discipline, integrity, and national service—principles that guided his own conduct while in office.
