Hadiza Buhari, daughter of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday delivered an emotional yet reflective speech at the public presentation of Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s new book, Headlines to Soundbites: Media Moments That Define an Administration. The event, attended by dignitaries, royal fathers, and political leaders, offered fresh insight into Buhari’s presidency through the perspective of his family.
Speaking on behalf of the Buhari family, Hadiza described the book as an opportunity for Nigerians to revisit a turbulent but defining era in the nation’s political history. She noted that the publication captures how headlines, media framing and short soundbites shaped public perception of the Buhari administration.
According to her, the former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed—who served for eight years—became the “public voice” of the Buhari government, managing its communication during challenging national moments. She thanked him for his loyalty and for documenting what she called an “honest and important perspective”.
Hadiza explained that while Nigerians often encountered the Buhari presidency through brief media clips, those soundbites rarely reflected the complexity behind government decisions. She stressed that behind every headline were “long meetings, tough choices, disagreements, doubts, and the quiet weight of responsibility.”
She added that behind every soundbite was a human being—sometimes tired, sometimes frustrated, but fully aware of the massive impact presidential decisions had on millions of citizens.
Hadiza stated that although the public knew him as President Buhari, the family experienced him simply as “Baba” or “Daddy.” She recalled his quiet personality, explaining that he often listened more than he spoke and worried deeply about the security of ordinary Nigerians. She said he constantly wrestled with the gap between what was promised and what was possible.
Addressing long-standing criticisms of her father’s administration, Hadiza acknowledged that Buhari was aware of the diverse public reactions to his policies. She admitted that some Nigerians felt more should have been done, while others believed their lives improved during his tenure. She emphasized that the Buhari family was not at the event to rewrite history or impose a single narrative.
According to her, Nigerians will continue to debate his legacy, and that such debates are healthy for a vibrant democracy. She added that more books will emerge—some praising the former president, some criticizing him, and others simply documenting events.
Hadiza argued that Lai Mohammed’s book offers a significant insider perspective because it examines how communication, controversy and public opinion shaped the administration. She said the book shows how headlines sometimes amplified challenges and overshadowed the complexities of governance.
She also used the occasion to praise the many government workers who served behind the scenes during Buhari’s two terms in office. She mentioned aides, civil servants, security personnel and technical experts whose names may never appear in the media but who carried “much of the daily weight of governance.”
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Hadiza extended the family’s appreciation to Lai Mohammed for his service and for undertaking the task of documenting the administration’s communication journey. She thanked the event organizers, reviewers and members of the media for honouring President Buhari’s memory and engaging seriously with the records of his time in office.
She expressed hope that the book would enrich public discourse, deepen understanding of the Buhari years and inspire future leaders and spokespersons to communicate with courage, clarity and responsibility.
She ended her remarks with a prayer for Nigeria.
The book launch marks one of the most detailed attempts to reflect on the Buhari era through the lens of media narratives, public communication and the challenges of managing national expectations.
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