Reviewer: Umaru A. Pate
Author: Garba Shehu, OON, FNGE, MNIPR
Year of Publication: 2025
Publisher: Venturion Limited
In According to the President, Garba Shehu—veteran journalist and former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari—undertakes the ambitious task of chronicling eight years of presidential communication, political leadership, and governance from the unique vantage point of a trusted insider. Part memoir, part political chronicle, and part institutional defence, the book reflects the author’s proximity to and unwavering loyalty to the man he served from 2015 to 2023.
As the title implies, the book is heavily centred on the voice, vision, and approaches of President Buhari himself. Shehu assembles a compelling narrative using presidential speeches, public statements, press briefings, and behind-the-scenes reflections to portray what Buhari said, what he meant, and why he acted the way he did—on core national issues such as security, the economy, anti-corruption, foreign policy, leadership, and governance reform. Even though, the author said it is not a memoir, According to the President is a carefully curated account of presidential intent and public perception, shaped by the author’s role as both a communicator and a custodian of legacy.
Garba Shehu’s credentials as a media strategist and seasoned journalist shine through in his compelling storytelling and attention to nuance. With a captivating prose style, he shares rich insights, difficult encounters, and high-stakes responsibilities from his professional journey. Each chapter reveals just enough to spark deeper curiosity—leaving the reader with the sense that far more lies beneath the surface, deliberately reserved for clarity, brevity, and narrative effectiveness.
Spanning ten chapters across 239 pages, the book traverses the arc of Shehu’s career—from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of political communication. The first two chapters sketch his early life, detailing his education in Dutse, through secondary school, to Bayero University, Kano, and eventually, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned a Master’s degree in Mass Communication. His professional rise began at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), then Triumph Newspapers in Kano, and later the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON). From the onset, it is clear that Shehu was marked for greatness—as famously observed by the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
Chapter two details his rise through the media ranks—from NTA reporter in Sokoto and Lagos, to Editor and eventually Managing Director at Triumph. These formative experiences taught him the value of press freedom, journalistic ethics, and mentorship—principles that later defined his approach to public communication.
Chapter three recounts his challenging initiation into the volatile world of political communication as spokesperson to then-Vice President Atiku Abubakar. This chapter is particularly gripping, as it details the tense and often antagonistic relationship between Vice President Atiku and President Olusegun Obasanjo. As a result of his loyalty and professional commitment, Garba Shehu paid a heavy price: he was expelled from the Villa, detained by the State Security Services, and imprisoned in Kuje. Despite enduring years of trial and persecution, Shehu was eventually discharged and acquitted, and crucially, never lost the confidence of his principal.
Chapters four through six chronicle his dramatic return to the Villa—this time as the spokesperson to the President of Nigeria. The book outlines the political intrigues, strategic manoeuvres, and communications efforts that led to his appointment. Chapter six provides a candid and detailed assessment of President Buhari—the man, the myth, and the misunderstood leader. Here, Shehu offers a revealing perspective on Buhari’s leadership style, decision-making processes, and media persona, helping to demystify and humanise a figure often seen through ideological or partisan lenses.
Of particular interest is the discussion around the role of communication in the historic 2015 election that unseated the incumbent PDP and brought Buhari’s APC into power. Shehu’s analysis of disinformation, public sentiment, and media strategy is both instructive and timely—especially in an age when digital noise often drowns out verified information.
Chapters seven through nine take readers deep into the engine room of Villa communications—explaining how Shehu and his team navigated relentless criticism, economic downturns, political opposition, and media scrutiny. Despite intense pressure, the team responded with measured professionalism, deploying the tools of strategic communication, public relations, and crisis management without descending into personal attacks or abusive rhetoric.
Conclusion and Lessons for Communication Professionals
In According to the President, Garba Shehu not only documents his journey, but also demonstrates mastery in strategic communication and political messaging. His ability to promote, protect, and project his principal under intense public pressure is commendable. Beyond narrative, the book offers valuable lessons for communication scholars, media professionals, and students of political communication, including:
- Proximity to Power Requires Professionalism and Discretion – Being close to decision-makers demands not only skill but ethical discipline and emotional intelligence.
- Strategic Communication is an Art and Science – Effective messaging in governance involves timing, audience segmentation, content framing, and sustained engagement.
- Crisis Communication is a Core Competency – In turbulent political environments, media professionals must remain calm, factual, and constructive in their responses.
- Credibility is Built Over Time – Shehu’s story affirms that personal and professional integrity sustains long-term relevance in the public communication space.
- Relationships are Strategic Assets – His experience highlights the importance of cultivating and sustaining networks across political, media, civil society, and security sectors.
- Archiving and Institutional Memory Matter – Documenting speeches, press briefings, and events provides a strong foundation for public accountability and legacy.
- Communication Can Reframe Leadership – Shehu uses narrative to correct misperceptions and offer a more nuanced view of President Buhari’s character and leadership style.
- Navigating the Digital 4Vs – Professionals must be prepared to manage information Volume, Velocity, Variety, and Veracity in today’s media ecosystem.
- Advocacy Must Not Undermine Professionalism – Loyalty must be balanced with truth, tact, and adherence to communication ethics.
- Mentorship is Key to Sector Growth – Shehu’s emphasis on grooming future professionals is a call to invest in knowledge transfer and media leadership development.
Ultimately, According to the President is both a memoir and a masterclass in high-level communication practice. It is recommended reading for journalists, political aides, PR professionals, and students of governance and media studies who seek to understand how power communicates—and how communication shapes power.
[1] Remarks at the Launching of the book: According to the President on July 9, 2025 at Shehu Yar’adua Centre, Abuja
[2] Professor of Media and Society and Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State
