President Bola Tinubu has appointed Folashade Adekaiyaoja as the new Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
This approval marks a historic move as it is the first of its kind by any Nigerian president and is aimed at restructuring the agency for enhanced efficiency. The appointment aligns with the original organizational structure of the DSS, which is designed to include three Deputy Directors-General.
The decision, which was based on a recommendation from the DSS Director-General, Mr. Oluwastosin Ajayi, and endorsed by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was ratified by President Tinubu, according to a report by The Nation on Tuesday. A source familiar with the matter described the move as unprecedented in the history of the Secret Service, noting that it adheres to the agency’s extant regulations.
Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi State, has received widespread acclaim from officers and operatives within the DSS, many of whom regard her as exceptionally qualified for the position.
The appointment is also in line with President Tinubu’s broader security strategy. In his efforts to enhance national security, the president has tasked heads of security agencies with developing proposals to improve service delivery. This includes advancing career progression within the DSS, a move many current and former officers believe will have a positive impact.
In a related development, during the investiture ceremony for the National Institute for Security Studies’ Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 graduates in December 2024, President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to supporting the DSS and other security agencies with state-of-the-art, AI-powered equipment to tackle the nation’s security challenges. Speaking through the NSA, the president emphasized the importance of collaboration among security agencies for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Since taking office in late August 2024, DSS Director-General Oluwastosin Ajayi has promised sweeping reforms within the agency, with the aim of transforming the DSS into one of the world’s most efficient covert security organizations.
