Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday defended his record in office as he donated copies of his book to Yakubu Gowon University, calling on Nigerians to take ownership of their narratives and document the nation’s history.
The event, held at the university in Abuja, featured the presentation of his book, Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, alongside the unveiling of a literacy advocacy initiative, the “Reading Sessions Project,” aimed at promoting reading culture across tertiary institutions nationwide.
Describing the publication as a first-hand account of governance between 2015 and 2023, Mohammed said the book chronicles his nearly eight-year tenure, during which he served as the longest-serving Information Minister in Nigeria’s history.
“Headlines & Soundbites is an insider’s chronicle of governance, communication and nation-building during the immediate past Federal Administration,” he said, adding that the work provides context to some of the most debated policies and controversies of the period.
The former minister noted that the book addresses key national flashpoints, including the suspension of Twitter (now X), the #EndSARS protests, and Nigeria’s communication strategy during the $9.6 billion P&ID arbitration case.
According to him, his motivation for writing stemmed from a conviction that Africans must shape their own historical narratives.
“I have always believed that Africans must tell their own stories, lest they be distorted or misrepresented by others,” he stated, stressing that those who served in government have a responsibility to document their experiences for posterity.
Mohammed described the book donation as more than symbolic, saying it reflects his belief in the power of literature to enrich scholarship and deepen understanding of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He disclosed that copies of the book, launched on December 17, 2025, have also been presented to Yaba College of Technology and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, with plans to reach more institutions nationwide.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi described the donation as a valuable addition to the university library, noting that it would serve as a reference material for scholars and students studying the period.
The ceremony was attended by senior university officials, management staff, and students. The book was launched to commemorate the 83rd birthday of former President Muhammadu Buhari.