President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has publicly commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for his recent recognition as a champion of press freedom.
IPI Honors DSS Chief for New Approach
The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI) presented Mr. Ajayi with a commendation award at its Annual Conference in Abuja on December 2, 2025. The organization cited his "unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists" since his appointment in late August 2024.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu welcomed the award. He praised the DSS chief for ensuring press freedom, upholding citizens' rights, and operating within legal boundaries.
The President noted that under Mr. Ajayi's leadership, the DSS is fostering an atmosphere of dialogue with the press and civil society, moving away from a history of hostility. He urged other security agencies and public officials to follow this example and view the media as partners, not adversaries.
Concrete Actions Behind the Award
The IPI provided specific instances demonstrating this transformative approach. It recalled that shortly after Mr. Ajayi took office, journalist Adejuwon Soyinka was detained in Lagos. Following IPI's intervention, the Director-General ordered his immediate release.
Another significant case involved Lanre Arogundade, an IPI member whose name had remained on a DSS watchlist since the 1980s, causing repeated travel issues. Upon receiving a formal complaint, Mr. Ajayi swiftly ensured the permanent removal of Mr. Arogundade's name from the list.
The IPI also highlighted the case involving the newspaper Order Paper, which published an inaccurate report about the DSS and the National Assembly. While a staff member was arrested, Mr. Ajayi ordered administrative bail. Through engagement, the matter was resolved, court charges were withdrawn, and the case was closed.
A Pattern of Constructive Engagement
Further examples of this new doctrine were cited. In February 2025, when the DSS was aggrieved by media reports on its role in the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis, Mr. Ajayi chose to work "patiently and collaboratively" with the IPI to present the facts and resolve the disagreement amicably.
In October 2025, the Director-General ordered disciplinary action against officers involved in the arrest of two journalists from Jay 101.9 FM in Jos. The DSS subsequently issued a formal apology to the journalists and their organization, an intervention initiated by Mr. Ajayi himself.
The IPI stated that the award aims not only to acknowledge these efforts but also to encourage more progress and inspire other officials to emulate this example.
Tinubu Calls for Sustained Momentum
In his congratulatory message, President Tinubu encouraged the DSS leadership to sustain this momentum. He emphasized the need to continue promoting an enabling environment for journalists to perform their constitutional duty of holding public officials accountable.
This recognition marks a notable shift for the security service, which the IPI noted was previously associated with "serial harassment, intimidation, and arrests of journalists." The current approach under Mr. Ajayi is characterized by restraint, professionalism, and a preference for dialogue over coercion.
