Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says the #EndSARS protests lost their original focus after being taken over by individuals pursuing hidden agendas.
Speaking at a forum at the London School of Economics and Political Science over the weekend, he described the protests as an example of how false information can intensify already tense situations. While acknowledging that the demonstrations began as a legitimate response to police brutality, he argued that they later spiraled due to widespread misinformation.
Mohammed pointed to the period following the deployment of troops to the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, noting that unverified claims circulated rapidly across both traditional and social media, worsening the crisis.
He also criticized CNN, accusing the network of relying on questionable and manipulated materials, which he said contributed to a global narrative that did not accurately reflect events on the ground.
According to him, the crisis was driven not just by a communication gap but by the combined effects of fake news and rising violence.
Reflecting on other moments during his time in office, Mohammed highlighted the government’s communication approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying consistent updates and transparency helped secure high public trust.
He also referenced a media tour of areas once controlled by Boko Haram, where journalists were taken to witness military progress firsthand, helping counter extremist messaging.
On the controversial suspension of Twitter, he maintained that the move was deliberate and aimed at reducing harmful content after attempts to engage the platform proved unsuccessful.
Mohammed further noted the introduction of nationwide town hall meetings as part of efforts to improve public engagement, describing them as open forums that encouraged direct interaction across different regions.
He added that upon assuming office, he had to build a more structured and responsive communication system that combined traditional and digital channels to strengthen feedback between the government and citizens.
