President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Arinola Adekaiyaoja, as the Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Department of State Services (DSS).
This is the first time any President has made such appointment, marking a historic move in the agency’s structure.
This unprecedented decision has drawn widespread commendation from serving and retired DSS officers, who hailed it as a step toward restoring professionalism within the intelligence agency.
The appointment, it was learnt was based on a recommendation by DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, aligns with the original organizational structure of the DSS, which includes three Deputy Directors General.
A source within the agency who spoke with Vanguard said, “This appointment is in line with the DSS’s extant regulations.
“It demonstrates the President’s commitment to ensuring better efficiency and career progression in the Service.”
The decision comes as part of broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to enhance security across Nigeria. The President had previously tasked the heads of security agencies to propose strategies for improving their service delivery.
Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi State, has been lauded as a highly qualified choice for the position. Her appointment is being celebrated by DSS operatives, who view it as a morale booster and a pathway to improved career development within the Service.
“This approval is a clear signal of the government’s intention to revitalize the DSS and prioritize professionalism,” noted another source.
President Tinubu’s focus on overhauling Nigeria’s security infrastructure was reiterated during the investiture ceremony of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 graduates last December.
Speaking through Ribadu, the President promised to equip the DSS and other security agencies with Artificial Intelligence-powered tools to tackle insecurity.
He also emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration, stating, “Synergy among security agencies is key to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the nation.”
Since his appointment in August 2024, DSS DG Oluwatosin Ajayi has promised sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the Service into a world-class covert security agency.
