In a move aimed at boosting the morale and efficiency of the Department of State Services (DSS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Arinola Adekaiyaoja, fsi+, fdc, as Deputy Director General of the agency.
The approval marks a historic moment, being the first of its kind by any Nigerian president, and has been widely commended by both serving and retired DSS officers.
The decision is part of efforts to restore professionalism and enhance the operational structure of the DSS.
Sources revealed that the presidential directive aligns with the original organogram of the agency, which provides for three Deputy Directors General in its hierarchy.
The appointment was reportedly based on the recommendation of the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Folashade Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi State, is seen as highly qualified for the role, and her elevation has been celebrated by a cross-section of DSS personnel who believe it will inspire confidence and improve career progression within the agency.
President Tinubu’s approval also reflects his broader commitment to improving national security.
The president had previously instructed heads of security agencies to present actionable strategies for enhancing service delivery. A source within the security community stated that the DG’s recommendation for the appointment aligns with the president’s vision for a more efficient and professional DSS.
At the December 2024 investiture ceremony of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 graduates, President Tinubu, speaking through the NSA, reiterated his commitment to providing security agencies with state-of-the-art, AI-powered equipment to tackle the country’s insecurity.
He emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
Since assuming office in August 2024, DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi has introduced sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the DSS into one of the most efficient covert security agencies globally.
The appointment of Adekaiyaoja is seen as a significant step in this reform agenda and a testament to the administration’s resolve to strengthen the country’s security infrastructure.
