Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has been appointed by one of the leading government relations firms in the United States, Ballard Partners as the Managing Partner for Abuja office and the firm’s satellite office in Lagos.
In a statement the President and founder of the firm Brian Ballard signed Wednesday, the firm said it was opening its first African office in Nigeria to expand its international footprint to three continents and build upon the work it has done on behalf of African nations and companies in Africa and the U.S.
“We are honoured to have former Minister Lai Mohammed join the firm as our Managing Partner in Nigeria. He has a long record of public service and is one of the most respected officials in the country. His outstanding reputation and exceptional experience will be invaluable to our firm’s clients,” Ballard said.
Mohammed served as Minister of Information and Culture between 2015 and 2023 and as the spokesperson, reputation manager and information management strategist-in-chief of Africa’s most populous country and biggest economy.
He was also the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when the later was the Governor of Lagos State and was the first two term Minister of Information and Culture in the history of Nigeria and a holder of one of the nation’s highest honours, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for service to the country.
“I am very pleased to join Ballard Partners and to open the firm’s first office in Africa. Ballard Partners has an impeccable reputation internationally and is well known for its success representing African countries and American firms in Africa. The opportunities in Nigeria are substantial and I look forward to helping the firm’s clients achieve their objectives,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed graduated with second class upper honors with dual degrees in Modern European Languages (majoring in French) and Law and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1986.
He has also been awarded several diplomas in different parts of the world including Diplomes d’Etudes Francaise 3ieme Degree in both Dakar, Senegal and Vichy France.
