Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has emphasized that communication is the most strategic tool of governance, noting that effective leadership goes beyond policy formulation and implementation.
Mohammed made the remarks on Thursday in Lagos during the reading and signing of his new book, Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration.
In a statement released on Friday by the Head of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Media Office, Abuja, Nnamdi Atupulazi, the ex-minister stressed that governance requires sustained engagement with citizens.
“Governance is not only about making and implementing decisions. It is about explaining the decisions and convincing the people about their implementation,” he said.
Having served nearly eight years under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, Mohammed explained that he leveraged strategic communication to highlight government achievements while creating channels to receive feedback from Nigerians.
He outlined a range of strategies used during his tenure, including town hall meetings, media tours of government projects, interactions with foreign media and global think tanks, a scorecard series, strategic stakeholder engagements, testimony series, and regular media briefings.
According to Mohammed, the scorecard series, introduced ahead of the 2023 general elections, was particularly aimed at countering claims that the ruling party had no achievements to present to voters.
He concluded that transparent, consistent, and well-planned communication is essential for leaders to earn trust, foster understanding, and ensure that policies achieve their intended impact on society.
