Lai Mohammed Chairs 7th Freedom Online Yearly Lecture, Urges Media Responsibility Ahead of 2027 Elections

AISHA ABUBAKAR

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday called for national cooperation and responsible media engagement as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, describing economy, security and the country’s future as a “remarkable democratic trifecta” that must be strengthened together.

Mohammed spoke as Chairman at the 7th Freedom Online Yearly Lecture held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event, themed “2027 Elections: Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future”, was hosted by Freedom Online, an online newspaper, with Mr. Gabriel Akinadewo, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, as host.

The lecture had Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as Special Guest Speaker, while Senator Gbenga Daniel attended as Special Guest of Honour.

Also present was Mr. Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, alongside captains of industry, media executives and other stakeholders.

Commending Freedom Online for sustaining the platform for seven years, Mohammed said the media outfit had kept faith with “a simple but increasingly rare commitment: to inform without fear and to provoke thought without malice.”

He noted that the theme was timely as the country approaches another election cycle, and said the responsibility to define the conversation rests with leaders like Governor Sanwo-Olu, “a leader who understands firsthand the complex demands of governance, security, infrastructure development and economic innovation.”

In his remarks, Mohammed offered three reflections for the road to 2027.

First, he said security is the precondition for economic growth.

“No business thrives in an atmosphere of uncertainty, and no foreign or local investor deploys capital where safety cannot be guaranteed,” he stated.

The former Minister added that political stability depends on economic inclusion, noting that gainful employment for young people makes the political space less susceptible to manipulation and electoral violence.

Second, Mohammed urged that the 2027 election be viewed “not merely as a contest for power, but as a commitment to continuity and nation-building.”

According to him, the real measure of democratic progress is whether electoral outcomes “strengthen institutions, bolster investor confidence and guarantee peace across our communities.”

Third, he acknowledged that the Federal Government is confronting difficult challenges in security and economic reform.

“These are not challenges that can be solved overnight. They require consistency, patience, institutional strengthening and, above all, national cooperation,” he said, adding that efforts to stabilise the economy, attract investment and improve security “deserve constructive engagement from all stakeholders.”

Drawing from his experience in public communication, Mohammed charged the media to play a patriotic role in the election season.

“The media has the power to inform citizens, interrogate claims, expose falsehoods and provide a platform for competing ideas. But it also has the power, if irresponsibly deployed, to amplify fear, deepen divisions and turn political disagreements into ethnic, religious or regional conflicts,” he said.

He called for journalism that is “robust without being reckless; critical without being destructive; patriotic without becoming partisan; and free without forgetting the enormous responsibility that comes with freedom.”

“Sensationalism, fake news and incendiary rhetoric act as accelerants to instability. Responsible journalism, on the other hand, elevates the discourse from tribal and partisan sentiment to policy, competence and concrete solutions,” he added.

Mohammed then invited participants to engage constructively and leave with “a clearer vision of how we can collectively safeguard the future of our nation.”

The 7th Freedom Online Yearly Lecture brought together policymakers, journalists, and business leaders to reflect on governance priorities ahead of 2027, with emphasis on building stronger institutions, ensuring security, and driving inclusive economic growth.