London, United Kingdom: Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated on Friday, April 24, 2026, that fake news and disinformation caused the escalation of the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Okay News reports that Nnamdi Atupulazi, Head of Strategic Communications for the former minister, issued a statement on Sunday, April 26, 2026, detailing the address at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Mohammed described misinformation as the most significant challenge during the demonstrations, noting the situation worsened after the Government of Nigeria deployed troops to the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State. “The biggest challenge came when the government deployed troops to the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos to disperse the protesters. That’s when fake news and disinformation escalated,” he said.
He stated that international media coverage contributed to heightened tensions, specifically mentioning CNN. “What we saw during EndSARS was the dangerous power of disinformation in real time,” the former minister said.
Reflecting on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mohammed noted the administration used daily briefings and local language outreach, citing weekly opinion polls that showed approval ratings between 97 per cent and 98 per cent. He also defended the decision to suspend Twitter in Nigeria. “Despite repeated efforts by the government to secure cooperation in curbing misinformation, incitement and divisive content, these concerns were largely unaddressed,” he said.
The three-day speaking tour concluded following additional visits to Abbey College Cambridge and St John’s College, Cambridge.
