Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Nigeria's longest-serving Minister of Information and Culture under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, has shared intimate details about how his journey into the cabinet began, attributing it to years of built trust, shared political convictions, loyalty, and dedicated service rather than a single defining moment. These revelations appear in his newly published memoir, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, which chronicles his nearly eight-year tenure handling information, culture, tourism, and national orientation from 2015 to 2023.
The book was officially launched in Abuja on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, deliberately timed to coincide with what would have been Buhari's 83rd birthday. Mohammed explained that he shifted the launch from his own birthday (December 6) as a tribute to the former president, who passed away on July 13, 2025, in London after a prolonged illness. The event, held at the Shehu Yar'Adua Centre, drew dignitaries, media personalities, and former colleagues, with tributes highlighting the book's role in providing firsthand context to the Buhari era's communication strategies and policy decisions.
In excerpts from the book, Mohammed recounts the pivotal period immediately after Buhari's inauguration on May 29, 2015. Cabinet formation took time, but Mohammed's involvement began earlier. In April 2015, following Buhari's electoral victory over incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, the president-elect formed the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Committee to review handover notes from the outgoing administration and prepare a governance blueprint. While the committee's initial members were announced without Mohammed's name, he remained content, happy with the APC's triumph and not feeling slighted.
A personal phone call changed that. Mohammed detailed the conversation: A voice on the line confirmed his identity, then transferred the call to Buhari (then president-elect), who asked, “Lai, where are you?” When Mohammed replied he was in Lagos (his residence), Buhari inquired why he was there instead of preparing for the inaugural Transition Committee meeting in Abuja the next day. Surprised, Mohammed responded that he was not a member of the committee. Buhari simply said, “Ok, Tunde [Sabiu, his longtime personal assistant] will call you,” and ended the call.
Shortly after, Mohammed was personally added to the committee by Buhari himself—a move he interprets as the culmination of a long-standing relationship built on mutual respect and shared values. This direct intervention marked the start of a “cordial and special relationship” that endured until Buhari's death. Mohammed noted that he did not feel excluded initially; his inclusion stemmed from Buhari's confidence in him, forged through years of political activism, particularly during their time in the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and earlier alliances.
The memoir also touches on other early-administration moments, including a request from a close Buhari confidant a few days before the president's 100th day in office to support spokespersons in preparing for the landmark celebration. Mohammed frames these anecdotes as evidence of Buhari's deliberate, trust-based leadership style, contrasting with perceptions of aloofness or isolation often attributed to the former leader.
Launched amid reflections on Buhari's legacy, the book serves as Mohammed's effort to correct misconceptions, provide context, and offer an insider's account of how government policies were shaped and communicated. He dedicated the first chapter to Buhari, noting that the late president had written the foreword to his earlier book, Witness to History, 13 years prior. Attendees, including current Information Minister Mohammed Idris, praised Mohammed's contributions to media professionalism, crisis management, and national orientation during a challenging period marked by economic reforms, security issues, and global health crises.
The publication arrives at a time when Buhari's administration continues to be debated in Nigerian political discourse. Mohammed's narrative emphasizes personal loyalty and institutional continuity, offering a counterpoint to criticisms of the era's communication strategies. As a key figure in Buhari's government, Mohammed's memoir provides valuable historical documentation for scholars, journalists, and future leaders interested in the dynamics of power, media, and governance in Nigeria.
The book's launch and excerpts have been widely covered, with many viewing it as a fitting posthumous tribute to Buhari, whose death on July 13, 2025, prompted national mourning and reflections on his contributions—from military rule in the 1980s to his democratic presidencies (2015–2023).
