Godsent Ogbebeor
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Adekaiyaoja as the Deputy Director-General (DDG) of the Department of State Services (DSS), marking the first time any Nigerian president has made such an appointment.
The move, which seeks to enhance the efficiency of the DSS, aligns with the original organogram of the Service. The DSS hierarchy is designed to accommodate three Deputy Director-Generals, and Adekaiyaoja’s appointment is part of broader efforts to restructure and improve its operations.
The approval, which came through the recommendation of the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was described by sources as a landmark decision consistent with existing regulations.
Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi State, has been celebrated by officers and operatives within the DSS, who regard her as highly qualified for the position.
“It is a historic and transformative decision that will boost career progression in the Service,” a source stated.
President Tinubu has tasked heads of security agencies to propose measures for improving service delivery as part of his commitment to enhancing the security of Nigerians. This directive is in line with his administration’s broader reforms aimed at modernizing and equipping security institutions.
At the National Institute for Security Studies’ Executive Intelligence Management Course graduation ceremony in December 2024, Tinubu, through the NSA, reiterated his commitment to providing state-of-the-art, AI-powered equipment to combat insecurity across the country.
Since assuming office in August 2024, DSS Director-General Ajayi has pledged sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the agency into one of the most efficient covert security organizations globally.
However, Adekaiyaoja’s appointment is expected to complement these reforms and further strengthen the DSS’s capacity to address the nation’s security challenges.
