Breaking: Lai Mohammed Reveals Why Buhari Chose Him As Minister

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has revealed that his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 was no coincidence, but the result of years of trust, loyalty, shared convictions, and service.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Mohammed, who served in Buhari’s cabinet for nearly eight years, recounted the story in his book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, which was presented in Abuja on December 17, 2025, coinciding with what would have been Buhari’s 83rd birthday.

Reflecting on the period following Buhari’s inauguration on May 29, 2015, Mohammed noted that it took some time before the cabinet was fully constituted. However, Buhari’s confidence in him was evident early on when he was personally appointed to the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Committee in April 2015, even after other members had been named. The committee was tasked with liaising with the outgoing Goodluck Jonathan administration, reviewing handover notes, and preparing a blueprint for the incoming government.

Mohammed recounted the phone call that led to his appointment, describing it as unexpected:

“‘Hello,’ the voice said. ‘Is this Alhaji Lai Mohammed?’ I answered yes. ‘Hold on for Mr President,’ the voice said. Then another voice, apparently 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 point: ‘Are you not coming for the inaugural meeting of the Transition Committee in Abuja tomorrow?’”

When Mohammed told Buhari he was not a member of the committee, the President-elect simply replied, “‘Ok, Tunde (Sabiu) will call you,’ and hung up.” Within an hour, he received a call from Tunde arranging the delivery of his appointment letter.

Mohammed said he was never offended by the initial omission of his name from the committee announcement, noting, “I was simply happy that the party had won the election.” He described the personal appointment as the start of a cordial and special relationship with Buhari that lasted until the former President’s death on July 13, 2025.

He further recalled being asked by a close presidential confidant to assist Buhari’s media team ahead of the 100th day in office, a clear signal of the President’s confidence. The confidant later confirmed that if there was anyone Buhari was sure would make his cabinet, it was Mohammed.

Mohammed traced his relationship with Buhari back to 2012, when he requested through Mallam Nasir el-Rufai that Buhari write the foreword to his first book, Witness to History. Buhari agreed, wrote the foreword, and attended the book launch.

Their bond deepened during the 2015 election campaign following the merger that created the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mohammed, who had served as opposition spokesman for the Action Congress of Nigeria and later the APC, regularly attended meetings with Buhari in Kaduna alongside President Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande.

“These long-standing engagements, built on mutual respect and shared political ideals, laid the foundation for the confidence Buhari later reposed in me,” Mohammed said.

Reflecting on his tenure, he added, “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.”

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