Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Bola Tinubu administration, declaring himself “100% behind” the government while highlighting the importance of mentorship and innovation for Nigeria’s youth. Delivering the keynote address at Achievers University’s 15th convocation in Owo, Ondo State, he combined personal anecdotes with a call for resilience in a rapidly changing job market.
Speaking on the theme “Don’t Just Graduate, Innovate” on Friday, Mohammed emphasized that his eight-year ministerial tenure Nigeria’s longest for any information minister—was preceded by a decade of active opposition against the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
“I am a very loyal member of the APC. I am 100% behind this administration. But I have played my role on the front line. Whatever I need to do now, I will pass it through the back channels,” he said, according to reports from TheCable.
Operating now behind the scenes, Mohammed is focused on knowledge transfer to prevent historical oversights. “They say one reason history repeats itself is because those of us who have been fortunate enough don’t pass the baton, we don’t share the knowledge. And this is what I’m doing now—imparting, giving back to society,” he added, referencing recent lectures at Yaba College of Technology and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
The convocation, which saw 705 students graduate with 72 earning first-class honours, underscored Achievers University’s commitment to practical skills amid Nigeria’s 41.6% youth unemployment rate as of Q3 2025, according to National Bureau of Statistics data. Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Oyesoji Aremu noted the relevance of the lecture title, stating, “The title of the lecture is apt particularly at this time when students graduate and have nothing to do after graduation. At Achievers University, we always graduate students who are able to innovate after graduation.”
Pro-Chancellor Professor Bode Ayorinde reinforced the institution’s zero-tolerance policy on misconduct, announcing recent expulsions and rustications for breaches of discipline, with fees refunded. “We don’t sell certificates. Our culture here is academic culture and discipline no drug abuse, no cultism,” he affirmed.
Mohammed also defended the Tinubu administration’s security efforts, urging public support over criticism.
“Is there any president who would want his own country to be insecure? The government is doing a lot. We must all encourage the government,” he said. He stressed community involvement, adding, “All the change we are looking for must begin with all of us. Security is local. Actionable intelligence is part of it. The president cannot be in Abuja and know what is happening everywhere. People must report suspicious movements.”
Responding to concerns about a one-party state, he attributed mass defections to democratic growth, saying, “Nigerians are very bad students of history. This is not the first time we are seeing mass movement from one political party to another. It is part of growth, part of democracy.”
Addressing the graduating class, Mohammed cautioned against linear career expectations in an AI-driven era. “Graduation is a wonderful achievement, but a degree is not a guarantee. The world is not a straight road from university to your dream job. It is unpredictable, messy, and full of opportunities you may not even see coming,” he said. Quoting Steve Jobs, he added: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. If you innovate, if you dare to step beyond what is safe or expected, the dots will connect.”
Drawing from his own personal experiences, Mohammed recounted his journey: from a bold critique in 1978 that secured a PR job, to resigning at 36 with a family to support and N12,000 in savings—only to co-found a law firm two months later. As opposition spokesperson from 2006 to 2015, he faced arrests by the DSS in Osogbo and police in Lagos, yet he continued to issue up to three press releases daily, which he credits for the APC’s 2015 victory. “Failure is not the opposite of success. It is part of the journey. You must reinvent yourself relentlessly. It is the only way to stay relevant,” he urged.
Founded in 2007 by Chief Bode Ayorinde, Achievers University emphasizes employability, offering 100% tuition-free schemes to 319 graduates across 12 programmes, along with subsidies for others. Recent accolades include a student’s selection for the Optica Amplify Immersion Programme in the US, and Ayorinde’s promotion to full professor.
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Bola Tinubu administration, declaring himself “100% behind” the government while highlighting the importance of mentorship and innovation for Nigeria’s youth. Delivering the keynote address at Achievers University’s 15th convocation in Owo, Ondo State, he combined personal anecdotes with a call for resilience in a rapidly changing job market.
Speaking on the theme “Don’t Just Graduate, Innovate” on Friday, Mohammed emphasized that his eight-year ministerial tenure Nigeria’s longest for any information minister—was preceded by a decade of active opposition against the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
“I am a very loyal member of the APC. I am 100% behind this administration. But I have played my role on the front line. Whatever I need to do now, I will pass it through the back channels,” he said, according to reports from TheCable.
Operating now behind the scenes, Mohammed is focused on knowledge transfer to prevent historical oversights. “They say one reason history repeats itself is because those of us who have been fortunate enough don’t pass the baton, we don’t share the knowledge. And this is what I’m doing now—imparting, giving back to society,” he added, referencing recent lectures at Yaba College of Technology and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
The convocation, which saw 705 students graduate with 72 earning first-class honours, underscored Achievers University’s commitment to practical skills amid Nigeria’s 41.6% youth unemployment rate as of Q3 2025, according to National Bureau of Statistics data. Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Oyesoji Aremu noted the relevance of the lecture title, stating, “The title of the lecture is apt particularly at this time when students graduate and have nothing to do after graduation. At Achievers University, we always graduate students who are able to innovate after graduation.”
Pro-Chancellor Professor Bode Ayorinde reinforced the institution’s zero-tolerance policy on misconduct, announcing recent expulsions and rustications for breaches of discipline, with fees refunded. “We don’t sell certificates. Our culture here is academic culture and discipline no drug abuse, no cultism,” he affirmed.
Mohammed also defended the Tinubu administration’s security efforts, urging public support over criticism.
“Is there any president who would want his own country to be insecure? The government is doing a lot. We must all encourage the government,” he said. He stressed community involvement, adding, “All the change we are looking for must begin with all of us. Security is local. Actionable intelligence is part of it. The president cannot be in Abuja and know what is happening everywhere. People must report suspicious movements.”
Responding to concerns about a one-party state, he attributed mass defections to democratic growth, saying, “Nigerians are very bad students of history. This is not the first time we are seeing mass movement from one political party to another. It is part of growth, part of democracy.”
Addressing the graduating class, Mohammed cautioned against linear career expectations in an AI-driven era. “Graduation is a wonderful achievement, but a degree is not a guarantee. The world is not a straight road from university to your dream job. It is unpredictable, messy, and full of opportunities you may not even see coming,” he said. Quoting Steve Jobs, he added: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. If you innovate, if you dare to step beyond what is safe or expected, the dots will connect.”
Drawing from his own personal experiences, Mohammed recounted his journey: from a bold critique in 1978 that secured a PR job, to resigning at 36 with a family to support and N12,000 in savings—only to co-found a law firm two months later. As opposition spokesperson from 2006 to 2015, he faced arrests by the DSS in Osogbo and police in Lagos, yet he continued to issue up to three press releases daily, which he credits for the APC’s 2015 victory. “Failure is not the opposite of success. It is part of the journey. You must reinvent yourself relentlessly. It is the only way to stay relevant,” he urged.
Founded in 2007 by Chief Bode Ayorinde, Achievers University emphasizes employability, offering 100% tuition-free schemes to 319 graduates across 12 programmes, along with subsidies for others. Recent accolades include a student’s selection for the Optica Amplify Immersion Programme in the US, and Ayorinde’s promotion to full professor.
