ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), following his recognition as a champion of press freedom by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Mr. Ajayi was honoured with a commendation award at the esteemed journalism organisation’s Annual Conference on December 2, 2025, in Abuja.
In its citation, the IPI noted: “Since he was appointed Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in late August 2024, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi has demonstrated an unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations that the award was meant “not only to acknowledge his commendable press freedom credentials but also to encourage him to do even more and to inspire other officials, institutions, and organisations to emulate his example.”
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu welcomed the IPI award and commended the DSS DG for his efforts in ensuring press freedom, upholding citizens’ rights, and discharging his duties within the ambit of the law.
The President affirmed that under Mr. Ajayi’s leadership, the DSS is changing the narrative of hostility towards the press and fostering an atmosphere of dialogue and robust engagement with the civil populace.
President Tinubu encouraged other security agencies and public officials to emulate the DSS example by engaging with the media as partners in progress, rather than as adversaries.
He also charged the State Services to continue its commendable work and to remain steadfast in fostering a more enabling environment for journalists and media practitioners to perform their professional duties, in line with constitutional provisions that empower the media to hold public officials accountable.
