President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Adekaiyaoja as the Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services marking a significant restructuring of the agency.
This decision, the first of its kind by a Nigerian president, aims to enhance the service’s operational efficiency.
According to The PUNCH, the appointment, based on a recommendation by the DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi and endorsed by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, aligns with the original organogram of the service.
According to sources, the move is expected to improve career progression within the DSS.
“This appointment reflects the President’s commitment to fostering a more effective and inclusive security structure,” a source revealed. “It is unprecedented in the history of the DSS and is a bold step toward improving service delivery.”
Folashade Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi State, is celebrated among DSS operatives and officers for her qualifications and extensive experience.
Her appointment has sparked optimism within the organization, with many expressing confidence in her ability to drive positive change.
In line with his broader agenda for national security, President Tinubu has tasked the heads of security agencies to propose strategies for enhanced service delivery.
Speaking during the December 2024 graduation ceremony for the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 at the National Institute for Security Studies, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to equipping security agencies with cutting-edge technology.
“We are committed to supporting our security agencies with Artificial Intelligence-powered tools to tackle modern security challenges effectively,” the President said, through the NSA.
DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi, who assumed office in August 2024, has promised extensive reforms aimed at positioning the service as one of the world’s most efficient covert agencies.
“We are taking steps to ensure that the DSS is not only effective but also adaptive to the complexities of modern security threats,” Ajayi stated.
