Lai Mohammed Says Challenging Jonathan Government Shaped His Political Career
Former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has revealed that his rise to national prominence was largely shaped by his efforts to challenge and expose perceived weaknesses in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Speaking on Friday during the 15th convocation ceremony at Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Mohammed shared insights from his political journey and offered guidance to the graduating students.
Delivering a lecture titled “Don’t just graduate, innovate”, Mohammed encouraged students to embrace failure as part of the path to success, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, creativity, and relentless reinvention. He reflected on his time as an opposition spokesperson, explaining how he leveraged research-driven media strategies to hold the ruling People’s Democratic Party accountable and set the national agenda.
“Failure is not the opposite of success. It is part of the journey to success. You must reinvent yourself relentlessly. It is the only way to stay relevant,” Mohammed said. He recounted his role between 2006 and 2015, when he served as opposition spokesperson for the Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria, and the All Progressives Congress, during which he and his team used press conferences, interviews, and press releases—sometimes multiple in a single day—to influence national discourse.
Mohammed added that despite facing harassment, arrests, and working without pay, he remained unrelenting in holding the government accountable. “The DSS arrested me in Osogbo, and the police arrested me in Lagos. Through it all, I was unrelenting. I could not be intimidated,” he noted.
The lecture was part of the convocation activities, where the university’s leadership highlighted the importance of discipline and academic excellence. Professor Bode Ayorinde, Pro-Chancellor of Achievers University, emphasized that the institution maintains strict academic and disciplinary standards, including recent expulsions of students for poor performance and misconduct.
Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, praised Mohammed’s lecture for inspiring graduates to innovate. “The title of the lecture is apt, particularly at this time when students graduate without having clear post-graduation plans. At Achievers University, we focus on producing graduates who are capable of innovating and contributing meaningfully to society,” he stated.
Through his lecture, Lai Mohammed showed the value of courage, innovation, and perseverance in achieving professional success, leaving the graduates with actionable lessons on how to make an impact in their respective fields.
