Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said the #EndSARS protests were largely intensified by fake news and disinformation rather than a breakdown in government communication.
Speaking at a forum at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Mohammed acknowledged that the protests began as a genuine response to police brutality but later escalated due to the widespread circulation of unverified and misleading content across both traditional and digital media platforms.
He identified the deployment of troops to the Lekki Toll Gate as a major turning point, noting that it triggered a surge in misinformation. According to him, the government’s challenge at the time went beyond communication gaps, involving what he described as a dangerous combination of fake news and rising violence.
In a statement issued through his media office, Mohammed also criticised international coverage of the protests, particularly by CNN, accusing the outlet of relying on unverified and in some cases manipulated materials that influenced global perceptions of the crisis.
He stressed that the episode underscored the growing threat of information disorder, calling for stronger fact-checking mechanisms, responsible journalism, and improved public awareness to curb disinformation.
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Mohammed said Nigeria adopted a transparent, multi-channel communication strategy, including daily briefings, multilingual messaging, and extensive radio outreach. He noted that these efforts helped ease public anxiety, encouraged compliance with health measures, and contributed to relatively lower fatality rates.
On security matters, he recalled leading a media tour to areas in the North-East previously under the control of Boko Haram. He said the visit helped counter claims that insurgents still controlled large territories, boosting public confidence and challenging extremist narratives.
He added that managing information is crucial in counter-insurgency efforts, as it helps weaken extremist influence and reduce fear among citizens.
Mohammed also highlighted the introduction of nationwide town hall meetings during his tenure, describing them as a platform for direct engagement between government officials and citizens across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Defending the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, he said the move was necessary to address concerns over misinformation and harmful content after attempts to secure cooperation from the platform failed.
The LSE appearance concluded his three-day speaking tour of the United Kingdom, where he spoke on governance, leadership, and media practice, drawing from his book, Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration, which chronicles his time in office from 2015 to 2023.