- He argued that effective crisis management starts long before emergencies occur
- He cited media visits to formerly insurgent-controlled communities as an example of how independent verification can strengthen public confidence
- He also warned that misinformation has become a major threat to both governments and private organisations in the digital era
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has advised business organisations and public institutions to intentionally build public trust to protect themselves from reputational crises and operational setbacks.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Mohammed gave the advice on Thursday while delivering a guest lecture at the University of Abuja, recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University, in Abuja.
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Speaking on the topic, “Crisis, Communication and Commerce: What Business Leaders Can Learn From Government,” the former minister described communication as a core leadership responsibility rather than a secondary function.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Strategic Communications in his media office, Nnamdi Atupulazi, Mohammed stressed that organisations that neglect trust-building before crises emerge often struggle to manage public perception when challenges arise.
“In both government and business, communication is not the support act. It is the strategy itself,” he said, warning that institutions that see communication only as publicity expose themselves to avoidable damage during difficult periods.
Drawing from his experience under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Mohammed reflected on national challenges such as insurgency in the North-East, the COVID-19 outbreak, civil unrest, and the spread of misinformation.
He argued that effective crisis management starts long before emergencies occur, insisting that credibility cannot be suddenly created in the middle of a crisis.
“Trust is not a communication tool. It is the infrastructure upon which all communication rests,” he stated.
Mohammed explained that consistent engagement with journalists, labour unions, community leaders, and local-language media helped strengthen public communication efforts during his time in office.
The former minister outlined six key principles institutions should adopt to protect their reputation: establishing trust early, backing words with action, using credible messengers, monitoring events in real time, combating misinformation, and clearly communicating the reasons behind decisions.
He cited media visits to formerly insurgent-controlled communities as an example of how independent verification can strengthen public confidence more effectively than official statements.
“When your narrative is under attack, proof is more powerful than position,” he said.
Speaking on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mohammed emphasised the need for flexible communication systems capable of reaching diverse audiences through multiple languages, local structures, and rapid feedback mechanisms.
He also warned that misinformation has become a major threat to both governments and private organisations in the digital era.
“Misinformation is no longer merely a political problem. It is now a business risk,” he noted.
On controversial government decisions, including the suspension of Twitter, now known as X, Mohammed argued that difficult policies require sustained public explanation rather than silence.
“Hard decisions require more explanation, not less,” he added.
He concluded by stressing that organisations that invest in trust and transparency ahead of crises are more likely to survive difficult periods without long-term reputational damage.
Mohammed served as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture between 2015 and 2023 under the Buhari administration and previously held the position of National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress.
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