Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the former Minister of Information and Culture, has disclosed that his appointment to the cabinet by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 was not the result of a sudden decision, but rather the culmination of years of built trust, shared political convictions, unwavering loyalty, and dedicated service.
Mohammed, who served in the role for nearly eight years (2015–2023), made this revelation in his newly launched book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration.
The book, unveiled in Abuja on December 17, 2025—to mark what would have been Buhari's 83rd birthday offers an insider's account of his tenure under the late president, who passed away on July 13, 2025.
Reflecting on the post-election period, Mohammed recalled that after Buhari's inauguration on May 29, 2015, there was a delay in naming the full cabinet.
However, due to the strong confidence Buhari had in him, he was personally selected for the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Committee in April 2015, even after the initial list of members had been finalized.
The committee was tasked with liaising with the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to review handover notes and develop a blueprint for the new government.
He vividly described a key phone call from Buhari himself, which marked the beginning of their close working relationship:“Hello,’ the voice on the line said. ‘Is this Alhaji Lai Mohammed?’ I answered in the affirmative. ‘Hold on for Mr President,’ the voice said. Then another voice, apparently that of the President-elect, came on the line and asked:
‘Lai, where are you?’ ‘Your Excellency, I am in Lagos.’ What are you doing in Lagos?’ he asked. ‘I live in Lagos, Your Excellency,’ I replied. He then went straight to the reason for the call:
‘Are you not coming for the inaugural meeting of the Transition Committee in Abuja tomorrow?’ I replied, ‘Your Excellency, I am not a member of the committee.’ He then said, ‘Ok, Tunde (Sabiu, his longtime personal assistant) will call you,’ and he hung up. Within the hour, I received a call from Tunde, who asked where he should deliver the letter appointing me to the transition committee.”
This direct intervention highlighted Buhari's personal trust in Mohammed, which had been cultivated over time.
Their relationship dated back to 2012, when Buhari agreed to write the foreword for Mohammed's book Witness to History and even attended its launch.
As a long-time spokesperson for the opposition first for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mohammed frequently participated in strategic meetings with Buhari in Kaduna, often alongside figures like Bola Tinubu (now President) and Chief Bisi Akande.
These interactions, held regularly on Mondays and Thursdays, fostered mutual respect and alignment on core values.
Further signs of Buhari's confidence emerged shortly before the president's 100th day in office, when a close confidant asked Mohammed to assist spokespersons Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu in preparations despite the cabinet not yet being announced.In the book, Mohammed emphasized:
“Serving in Buhari’s administration for nearly eight years allowed me to witness firsthand the former President’s dedication to discipline, integrity, and national service values that guided my own conduct in office.”
The revelations come amid reflections on Buhari's legacy, portraying the appointment as rooted in a deep, long-standing political bond rather than momentary politics.
The book serves as a tribute to the late leader and a chronicle of key media and governance moments during his tenure.
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