Lai Mohammed Attributes EndSARS Protests to Fake News and Disinformation

Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture in Nigeria, stated that the 2020 #EndSARS protests were significantly escalated by fake news and disinformation rather than a failure of government communication. The protests, which began on October 8, 2020, were initially a response to police brutality but were hijacked by misinformation spread through traditional and digital media. Mohammed criticized international media, particularly CNN, for relying on unverified reports that exacerbated tensions and misrepresented the situation. He emphasized the need for improved fact-checking and media responsibility to combat the spread of disinformation. Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted that Nigeria developed a successful communication strategy without a global template, achieving high public approval ratings. His remarks were made during a forum at the London School of Economics and Political Science as part of a speaking tour promoting his new book.

Key Points: • Lai Mohammed claims fake news fueled the escalation of the #EndSARS protests. • The protests were initially a genuine response to police brutality but were hijacked by misinformation. • Mohammed criticized CNN for amplifying tensions through unverified reporting.