Former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has shed light on the lesser-known personal side of Nigeria’s late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a man with a strong sense of humour that was rarely visible to the public.
Mohammed made the revelation during an interview on Edmund Obilo’s podcast aired on Monday, January 26, 2026, while discussing his new book, Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments That Defined an Administration. He explained that although Buhari was widely perceived as stern and straight-faced, those who interacted closely with him experienced a different personality.
According to Mohammed, Buhari’s humorous side was more evident during private meetings, particularly in the period leading up to the 2015 general elections. He recalled frequently travelling to Kaduna with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande after the merger that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC), to meet Buhari, who was then the party’s presidential candidate.
Mohammed narrated that many of the meetings coincided with his personal fasting days, which led him to consistently decline lunch invitations. Over time, Buhari noticed this and jokingly asked why Mohammed avoided eating in his house, humorously suggesting he might be afraid of being poisoned. Tinubu reportedly explained that Mohammed was fasting, an explanation Buhari accepted with amusement.
In another instance, Mohammed recalled Buhari teasing him about his frequent fasting, jokingly asking how many people he was atoning for and expressing mock fear of such discipline compared to the compulsory Ramadan fast. The remark reportedly drew laughter from those present.
Mohammed said these moments reflected a side of Buhari that contrasted sharply with his public image, describing him as warm, witty, and capable of light-hearted banter in relaxed settings.
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