Lai Mohammed Fires CNN Over EndSARS Reporting
Last update: April 27, 2026
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Former Information Minister faults media role in EndSARS protest...
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said the #EndSARS protest was hijacked by individuals with ulterior motives.
CBI News reports that he made the remarks at a high-level forum at the London School of Economics and Political Science over the weekend.
According to Mohammed, the protest, which began as a genuine expression of grievances against police brutality, later escalated due to fake news and disinformation.
“The problem we had was not the usual communication gap between the government and the citizens. It was fake news and disinformation, coupled with unbridled violence,” he said.
He noted that the situation worsened following the deployment of troops to the Lekki Toll Gate, as unverified reports spread rapidly across traditional and digital media.
Mohammed specifically cited CNN, alleging that its reports relied on unverified and sometimes doctored content, thereby amplifying tensions and shaping global narratives.
The former minister also highlighted Nigeria’s communication approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as effective.
He said the government adopted transparency and daily briefings, which resulted in public approval ratings of between 97 and 98 per cent.
On the fight against insurgency, Mohammed recalled organising a media tour of areas previously controlled by Boko Haram in the North-East.
He said taking about 40 journalists to the region helped counter extremist propaganda and restore confidence in the military’s efforts.
Mohammed also addressed the suspension of Twitter during his tenure, saying it was a deliberate decision aimed at curbing incitement and divisive content after failed engagements with the platform.
He further highlighted the introduction of nationwide town hall meetings as a strategy to bridge communication gaps between the government and citizens.
According to him, the sessions provided unscripted platforms for inclusive engagement across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Mohammed added that upon assuming office, he met the absence of a structured communication strategy, prompting the development of a proactive system integrating traditional and digital media.
He said the framework ensured effective information dissemination and feedback between the government and the public.
