The immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has harped on the need for proactive political communication as he donated copies of his latest book to the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Mohammed made the donation on Thursday during an interactive session with the polytechnic community, describing the gesture as a move to foster critical inquiry and bridge the gap between governance and academic discourse.
The book, titled ‘Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration,’ chronicles Mohammed’s tenure as the longest-serving Information Minister in Nigeria (2015–2023).
Speaking on the motivation behind the 600-page publication, Mohammed stated that Nigeria’s contemporary history would be incomplete without first-hand accounts from those who served in the “engine room” of government.
He clarified that the 20-chapter book was not written to defend the Muhammadu Buhari administration, but to document the evolution of political communication in a digital era. “This book is my own contribution to Nigeria’s contemporary history, from an insider’s perspective,” Mohammed said.
“It addresses how we tackled major communication challenges, including misinformation during the #EndSARS protests and the circumstances that led to the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria.”
The former minister noted that government information managers must operate differently from other cabinet members, serving as the “mirror” of the administration. He cited his visits to Boko Haram-liberated areas in Borno and the Dapchi schoolgirls’ abduction site as examples of narrative management aimed at countering misinformation.
Mohammed explained that the donation was part of his Reading Sessions Project, launched on December 24, 2025, at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, to encourage a reading culture among undergraduates.
Rector of MAPOLY, Dr. Koyejo Jolaoso, commended the former minister for his contribution to knowledge and nation-building.
“We appreciate you for your role in nation-building. This donation goes a long way towards the development of humanity and reaffirms that MAPOLY remains on the map of academic relevance,” Jolaoso stated.
The event was attended by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, alongside principal officers, staff, and students of the institution.
