Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reaffirmed his full loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he remains “100% behind” the current administration. Mohammed made the declaration on Friday in Owo, Ondo State, while delivering the 15th convocation lecture of Achievers University.
Speaking during the ceremony, the former minister explained that although he no longer appears frequently in the public space, he remains firmly committed to the success of the APC-led government. He said he now prefers to contribute quietly and strategically, rather than remain on the frontline of national politics as he did for many years.
“I am a very loyal member of the APC. I am 100% behind this administration,” he said. “But I have played my role on the front line. Whatever I need to do now, I will pass it through the back channels.”
Mohammed, who served for eight years as Minister of Information between 2015 and 2023—the longest tenure ever for that office—said he considered it a privilege to have played such a major role in Nigeria’s governance. He insisted that his withdrawal from public political engagements does not mean he has stepped away from politics.
“You can never retire from politics,” he said. “Once you are in, you are in forever. It is for life.”
The former minister said he is now focused on mentorship and knowledge-sharing, especially with young Nigerians in tertiary institutions. He explained that his recent activities—including lectures at Yaba College of Technology and Olabisi Onabanjo University—reflect his commitment to helping the younger generation learn from past experiences.
Mohammed said he believes many historical mistakes in Nigeria continue to repeat themselves because older generations fail to pass on lessons to the youth.
“They say one reason history repeats itself is because those of us who have been fortunate enough don’t pass the baton, we don’t share the knowledge,” he said. “And this is what I am doing now—imparting, giving back to society.”
During his lecture, Mohammed strongly defended the Tinubu administration’s handling of Nigeria’s security challenges. He said Nigerians who criticise the government harshly often do so without understanding the complexity of the situation.
“Many people who are not in the kitchen don’t know the fire coming out of it,” he said. “Is there any president who would want his own country to be insecure? The government is doing a lot. We must all encourage the government.”
He noted that insecurity is a global problem and should not be seen as a burden for government alone. He said effective security requires local participation because communities have the information that security agencies need.
“All the change we are looking for must begin with all of us,” he said. “Security is local. Actionable intelligence is part of it. The president cannot be in Abuja and know what is happening everywhere. People must report suspicious movements.”
Responding to claims that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party system as many politicians defect to the APC, Mohammed dismissed such fears as misplaced and rooted in a lack of historical knowledge.
“Nigerians are very bad students of history,” he said. “This is not the first time we are seeing mass movement from one political party to another. It is part of growth, part of democracy.”
He explained that political realignments are common in Nigeria, especially before and after general elections. According to him, party movements do not mean democracy is under threat, but rather that politicians are repositioning themselves within the political system.
Lai Mohammed’s lecture, titled “Don’t Just Graduate, Innovate”, focused on preparing young people for the unpredictable nature of life after graduation. He encouraged the new graduates to understand that academic certificates alone no longer guarantee success, especially in a fast-changing world shaped by artificial intelligence and technology.
“Graduation is a wonderful achievement, but a degree is not a guarantee,” he said. “The world is not a straight road from university to your dream job. It is unpredictable, messy, and full of opportunities you may not even see coming.”
He used his own life as an example, explaining how he moved from studying French to becoming a PR officer, a lawyer, a political strategist, opposition spokesperson, and eventually minister. This, he said, was possible because he embraced change, took risks, and reinvented himself whenever necessary.
“Life will change your plans. Let it. Your dreams may change, and that’s not a failure,” he said. “It is life inviting you to grow.”
Mohammed told the graduates that innovation, courage, and resilience would play a larger role in their lives than their academic degrees. He quoted Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, saying, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.”
“If you innovate, if you dare to step beyond what is safe or expected, the dots will connect,” he said. “Innovation begins the moment you say, ‘There’s a better way’.”
He shared a story from 1978 when he boldly told a PR manager that his agency lacked visibility. The remark embarrassed the manager, but months later Mohammed received a job offer from the same firm.
“Courage creates opportunities,” he said. “When opportunities knock twice, swallow your pride and say yes.”
The former minister also spoke about resilience, describing failure as an unavoidable part of success. He narrated how he once resigned from his job at the age of 36 with a wife, four children, no house, and only ₦12,000. But two months later, he co-founded a law firm.
“Failure is not the opposite of success. It is part of the journey,” he said.
He also recalled periods of intense political pressure, including harassment and arrests, while he served as the spokesperson of the opposition for almost a decade.
“You must reinvent yourself relentlessly. It is the only way to stay relevant,” he advised the graduates.
Mohammed ended his lecture by urging the students to approach life with confidence, create their own paths, and use innovation to solve real problems. He said the future belongs to people who can think differently and take bold steps.
As Achievers University marked another convocation, his message left the audience with a simple reminder: success requires courage, vision and the willingness to evolve—qualities he said young Nigerians must embrace to thrive in today’s world.