Deception now transcends party lines, says Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed, the former Minister of Information and Culture, has called on business leaders and public institutions to make a conscious effort to establish public trust, as this serves as a vital safeguard against reputational damage and operational crises.

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This warning was issued in Abuja on Thursday during a Guest Lecture Series at the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, where Mohammed was speaking.

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Mohammed cautioned that organisations which fail to invest in credibility prior to the onset of crises often find themselves struggling to cope when pressure mounts, highlighting the importance of proactive measures.

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In his lecture, titled ‘Crisis, Communication and Commerce: What Business Leaders Can Learn From Government,’ Mohammed positioned communication as a central component of leadership, rather than a secondary function, stressing that reputational stability is dependent on the consistent cultivation of trust over time.

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According to a statement signed by Nnamdi Atupulazi, the Head of Strategic Communications of his Media Office, Mohammed stated, “In both government and business, communication is not the support act, it is the strategy itself,” highlighting the risks of treating communication as merely a publicity tool.

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Mohammed drew on his experience during major national challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and widespread misinformation, which occurred under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.

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He argued that effective crisis response begins long before any emergency arises, and that trust cannot be manufactured in the middle of a crisis, saying “Trust is not a communication tool, it is the infrastructure upon which all communication rests.”

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Mohammed noted that early engagement with journalists, labour groups, and local language media helped strengthen public messaging during his time in government, providing a foundation for effective communication.

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He outlined six key principles that institutions must adopt to avoid reputational damage, including building trust early, prioritising action over claims, recognising the importance of credible messengers, monitoring developments in real time, actively countering misinformation, and clearly explaining the reasoning behind decisions.

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Mohammed cited initiatives such as media tours of liberated communities in areas previously affected by Boko Haram insurgency as evidence that verification often carries more influence than official statements alone, saying “When your narrative is under attack, proof is more powerful than position.”

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Reflecting on the COVID-19 period, he emphasised the need for flexible communication systems that incorporate multiple languages, community leadership structures, and rapid feedback loops to address misinformation and encourage compliance.

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He also warned that misinformation has evolved into a serious risk factor for both governments and private organisations, particularly in the digital age, stating “Misinformation is no longer merely a political problem, it is now a business risk.”

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On contentious policy decisions, such as Nigeria’s suspension of Twitter, now known as X, Mohammed argued that public understanding depends on sustained explanation rather than silence, saying “Hard decisions require more explanation, not less.”

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He concluded by reiterating that institutions which proactively build trust are better positioned to withstand crises without lasting reputational harm, while those that delay communication until emergencies arise often pay a heavier price.

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