Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, shared a poignant account of how fake news nearly tore apart his 40-year marriage. Speaking at an event organized by the Mass Communication Department of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Mohammed revealed that false reports claiming he had $1.9bn in his bank account circulated during his tenure as a Minister in the Buhari-led administration.

He recounted a distressing moment when his wife woke him in the middle of the night, speaking in Yoruba, expressing concern about the rumor and requesting to be added as a signatory to his account in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances. Mohammed had to reassure her that the news was entirely fabricated, explaining that the annual allocation for his ministry was N5bn, not the extravagant sum reported.

Reflecting on the incident, Mohammed emphasized the destructive impact of fake news, noting that it has not only strained relationships but has also driven some individuals to extreme measures like suicide. He stressed the urgency of tackling this issue collectively, underscoring the importance of combating misinformation in society.