Former Minister Lai Mohammed urges leaders to build public trust to prevent crises and reputational damage

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, emphasized the critical role of building public trust for business leaders and public institutions to safeguard against reputational damage and operational crises. Speaking at the University of Abuja, Mohammed stated that organizations failing to invest in credibility before a crisis often become overwhelmed when pressure mounts. He highlighted communication as a central pillar of leadership, not merely a supporting function, asserting that reputational stability relies on consistent trust cultivation. Mohammed, drawing on his experience during national challenges like insurgency, the COVID-19 pandemic, and civil unrest, argued that effective crisis response begins long before an emergency. He stressed that trust cannot be manufactured during a crisis, describing it as the "infrastructure upon which all communication rests." He outlined six principles for institutions to avoid reputational damage: building trust early, prioritizing action over claims, recognizing credible messengers, monitoring developments in real-time, actively countering misinformation, and clearly explaining decisions. Mohammed noted that verification, such as media tours of liberated communities, is more influential than official statements. He also warned that misinformation has become a significant business risk in the digital age, not just a political problem. He concluded that institutions proactively building trust are better equipped to with