Nigeria Lai Mohammed Recounts How Fake News Nearly Ruined His 40-Year Marriage

Former Minister Lai Mohammed reveals how fake news nearly destroyed his marriage of 40 years. He recounted the incident at Olabisi Onabanjo University, emphasizing the need to combat fake news due to its damaging effects on personal lives and society.

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, shared a personal account of how fake news almost destroyed his 40-year marriage. Speaking at Olabisi Onabanjo University, he recounted how a false report claimed he had $1.9bn in his bank account. This misinformation led his wife to wake him up in the middle of the night, requesting to be made a signatory to his account due to concerns about their future. Mohammed clarified to his wife that the news was entirely fabricated, explaining that the total annual allocation for his ministry was N5bn, summing up to N40bn for his tenure.

He expressed deep concern over the pervasive nature of fake news, highlighting its potential to cause significant personal and social harm. Mohammed pointed out that many people, including his friends and wife, believed the baseless claim, illustrating how quickly false information can spread and affect lives. He emphasized the need for collective action to tackle the menace of fake news, noting its destructive impact on marriages and mental health, with some individuals even resorting to suicide.

The former minister urged society to recognize the severe consequences of spreading false information, advocating for stringent measures to curb the spread of fake news. He stressed that until someone becomes a victim of such fabrications, they might not fully grasp the weight and potential damage it can cause.