Communication driver of governance — Lai Mohammed

A former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said communication has become a central driver of governance, arguing that it now determines how governments are understood, challenged and trusted.

Mohammed spoke on Wednesday during a high-level interactive session at St John’s College, Cambridge, convened by the Cambridge University Nigeria Society.

According to a statement by the Head of Strategic Communications, Lai Mohammed’s Media Office, Nnamdi Atupulazi, on Thursday, Mohammed noted that modern governance cannot be separated from how information is managed and shared.

“Communication is not a supporting function of governance; it is central to it,” he said.

He added that the digital era has fundamentally changed the relationship between governments and citizens, noting that information is now continuously contested in the public space.

“We have moved from top-down messaging to real-time public conversation. Citizens today do not just receive information, they interrogate it, challenge it and actively shape the narrative,” he stated.

The former minister stressed that this shift requires governments to be more transparent and responsive in their communication strategies, especially as social media accelerates the spread of both information and misinformation.

He explained that effective governance depends on structured communication systems that combine traditional media, digital platforms and direct engagement with citizens.

According to him, feedback from the public increasingly influences how governments frame and deliver messages.

Citing examples from his new book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration, he reinforced his argument on the centrality of communication to governance and illustrated how communication strategies were instrumental in managing crises, shaping narratives and defending national interests.

Reflecting on crises during his time in office, Mohammed pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of communication playing a critical role in public response.

“At a time when there was no cure and no vaccine, communication was our strongest weapon,” he said, adding that messaging around hygiene, distancing and mask use helped drive public compliance.

He also referenced the P&ID arbitration case, stating that communication was essential alongside legal efforts.

“We understood that we were not only fighting in the courtroom, but also in the court of public opinion,” he added.

On the EndSARS protests, he warned about the impact of misinformation in escalating tensions.

“The digital age has amplified not just the speed of information, but also the spread of misinformation,” he noted.

Mohammed further addressed the suspension of Twitter, now X, in Nigeria during his tenure, describing it as a difficult policy decision.

“It was a tough call. We were fully aware of the economic and social implications,” he said, adding that the decision was driven by national security concerns.

He maintained that in contemporary governance, communication is not optional but essential.

“In times of crisis, communication is not optional; it is indispensable,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed is a politician and lawyer who served as Minister of Information and Culture from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He previously held roles in opposition politics, including serving as the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress.