International lobbying firm appoints Lai Mohammed as managing partner

International lobbying firm appoints Lai Mohammed as managing partner

An international lobbying firm, Ballard Partners, has appointed Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed as its managing partner.

His appointment was announced in a statement shared on the firm’s official Twitter page on Tuesday.

This is coming less than two weeks after leaving office as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture.

The statement reads, “Ballard Partners, one of the top government relations firms in the United States, is opening its first office in Africa in Abuja, Nigeria, the nation’s capital.

“Lai Mohammed, the immediate past Nigeria minister of information and culture, will serve as the managing partner of the Abuja office and the firm’s satellite office in Lagos, the nation’s financial centre.”

The firm’s president, Brian Ballard, said Mohammed was given the role because he “is one of the most respected officials in the country”.

“Opening our first African office in Nigeria expands our firm’s international footprint to three continents and builds upon the important work we have 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.

Reacting to his new appointment, Mohammed said Ballard Partners has a perfect record globally and is delighted to be a part of the firm.

“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,” he was quoted as saying.