Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, recently made a notable contribution to academic life at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos by donating multiple copies of his memoir, Headlines and Sound Bites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration, to the school’s library. The gesture is part of a larger plan to distribute the book to at least 20 tertiary institutions nationwide as a way to encourage scholarship, preserve historical memory, and strengthen Nigeria’s intellectual foundations.
Mohammed said his decision to gift the book to YABATECH is rooted in a deep conviction that Africans must take the lead in documenting and interpreting their own histories rather than rely on perspectives shaped by external observers, which can be biased or lack context. He emphasised that telling local stories from authentic viewpoints is essential not only for historical clarity but also for shaping future narratives about the continent.
“Too often, our national experiences are documented by others. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to create our own historical records,” he said during the presentation.
The book itself is described as a firsthand account of his tenure as minister under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, during which he served for nearly eight years, the longest in that position. It chronicles key moments in Nigerian governance, including major media engagements, policy communication strategies, public controversies, crises, and strategic decisions. These insights are intended to benefit students, researchers, media practitioners, public relations professionals, historians, and policy analysts interested in the practical realities of governance and strategic communication.
Mohammed also used the event to highlight the growing threats posed by misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, issues he dealt with extensively in public communication during times of national security challenges. He argued that access to reliable, firsthand information and responsible messaging is critical for shaping how citizens understand events and avoid unnecessary confusion or panic.
In addressing the students and young professionals at YABATECH, he urged them to “critically interrogate narratives, seek factual accuracy and appreciate the power of communication in shaping national history.” He stressed that knowledge should be accessible, open to questioning, and applicable in real-world contexts, not confined to private collections or left unexamined.
The Rector of YABATECH, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, expressed sincere appreciation for the donation. He described the books as timely and intellectually enriching resources that will significantly deepen the academic capacity of the college. The rector highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world experience by connecting students with seasoned practitioners who have directly navigated high-level national roles.
Dr Abdul said the books would be fully incorporated into the college’s teaching and research materials, enhancing learning across disciplines like media studies, public relations, governance, and nation-building. He added that the donation is not just a contribution of texts but an investment in expanding students’ perspectives on leadership and communication grounded in lived experience.
Supporting this view, Mrs Abosede Ogunnaike, Dean of the School of Liberal Studies, thanked Mohammed on behalf of the governing council, faculty, and students. She described the visit as highly motivational and said the donation would remain a lasting academic legacy for future generations.
By enriching academic resources and fostering critical thinking, initiatives like book donations to institutions such as YABATECH help build human capital and enhance workforce competencies, key drivers of economic growth in Nigeria’s knowledge economy, where enhanced education and communication skills support innovation, entrepreneurship, and more competitive participation in global markets.
