Former Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said misinformation has evolved beyond a political problem to become a significant business risk [1].
This shift suggests that corporate entities and public institutions are now as vulnerable to false narratives as political candidates. If left unaddressed, the spread of misinformation can trigger operational crises and cause lasting damage to an organization's reputation [1].
Mohammed said business leaders and public institutions in Nigeria should take a proactive approach to communication [1]. He said these entities must deliberately build public trust to create a safeguard against the volatile nature of modern information flows [2].
According to Mohammed, the ability to maintain a trustworthy relationship with the public serves as a primary defense mechanism [1]. Without this foundation, organizations may find themselves unable to effectively counter false claims once they begin to circulate [2].
He said the goal is to protect organizations from the instability caused by misinformation [1]. By prioritizing transparency and trust, leaders can mitigate the risk of sudden reputational collapse [2].
“Misinformation is no longer merely a political problem.”
The warning from a former information minister highlights a growing trend where digital misinformation targets economic stability and corporate viability rather than just electoral outcomes. In the Nigerian context, this suggests that the intersection of social media volatility and corporate governance requires a new strategy of 'trust-building' as a risk management tool to prevent financial and operational disruptions.
