Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday in Abuja presented his latest book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration, choosing a date he said was meant to honour the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The book launch was held on what would have been Buhari’s 83rd birthday, a decision Mohammed explained was deliberate and symbolic. He told the audience that the unveiling was initially scheduled for December 6, his own birthday, but was shifted to December 17 to pay tribute to the former president.
Mohammed said he took the decision after resuming work on the book following Buhari’s death on July 13, 2025, noting that he never anticipated writing the book without Buhari being alive.
He disclosed that the first chapter of the publication was dedicated to Buhari, explaining that the former president had written the foreword to his earlier book, Witness to History, published 13 years ago.
According to Mohammed, the new book chronicles his experiences as Nigeria’s longest-serving Minister of Information and Culture, offering insights into government communication, national orientation, culture and tourism during the Buhari administration.
He said the publication was intended to clarify misconceptions, provide context and preserve first-hand accounts of key moments that shaped the administration. Topics covered include election-related communications, the restoration of the National Theatre, the $9.6 billion P&ID arbitration case, the repatriation of stolen artefacts, and efforts to counter misinformation surrounding Boko Haram and the Bring Back Our Girls campaign.
Asked whether the book was designed to defend Buhari’s legacy, Mohammed dismissed the suggestion, saying the truth speaks for itself. He added that public communication often shapes how governments are remembered, sometimes even more than policies and programmes.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa, said the book would be useful as a reference material and a tool for promoting constructive public discourse. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also congratulated Mohammed, urging leaders to document their experiences as a way of enriching national history.
The event was attended by members of Buhari’s family, including Halima and Yusuf, former Osun State Governor Adebisi Akande, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, and other dignitaries.
Buhari served as Nigeria’s president from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, a period marked by significant political and social developments, including the #EndSARS protests of 2020. Mohammed served throughout the eight years of the administration, giving him what he described as a unique vantage point on its decisions, challenges and legacy.
