The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

When President Bola Tinubu appointed Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi to lead the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s main domestic security agency carried a heavy burden of public skepticism. For years, the agency’s headquarters in Abuja was often associated with a closed-off style, long detentions without trial, and tense, adversarial relationships with the public and the press.

Today, the atmosphere has changed significantly. Across newsrooms, civil rights organizations, and security circles, Mr. Ajayi is viewed as a true institutional reformer. A career intelligence officer with over thirty years of experience, he has brought empathy, deep respect for human rights, and quiet efficiency to the job. By proving that strong national security does not require sacrificing civil liberties, he has successfully reshaped how Nigerians view their secret police.

A Career forged on the frontline
My little research on his background shows that Mr. Ajayi did not reach the top through political connections. Like most top personnel, he started as a cadet officer in the early 1990s and worked his way up through hard work, humility, dedication, and practical field experience.

Over the decades, he served as the State Director of Security in several complex regions, including Bauchi in the North, Enugu in the East, and Bayelsa, Rivers, and Kogi in the Niger Delta and North-Central zones. Later, he rose to become the Assistant Director-General before taking the top job. Working across these diverse environments gave him a first-hand understanding of Nigeria’s unique security challenges.
At least I’ve once met him during his remarkable days as State Director in Bauchi.

I believe Mr Ajayi learned early in his career that brute force alone cannot solve deep-seated social, economic, or communal problems.

Smart security and respect for the rule of law
Under his leadership, the DSS has shifted away from a purely reactive approach – where security forces only respond after a crime or attack has already occurred. Instead, the agency now focuses on stopping threats before they happen by gathering better intelligence, mapping out criminal supply lines, and disrupting kidnapping syndicates early.
At the same time, the agency places a strong emphasis on following the rule of law. Civil rights groups have noted a major reduction in arbitrary arrests and indefinite detentions. Under Ajayi’s watch, older, long-standing detention cases have been systematically reviewed, ensuring that suspects are given fair access to legal processes rather than being held outside the law.

Protecting the economy and working hand-in-hand with the military
Economic security is a major priority for the current administration. Drawing from his time serving in the oil-rich Niger Delta, Ajayi has used targeted intelligence to crack down heavily on crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, and pipeline vandalism, helping to protect vital national revenue.
In the North-East and other active operational zones, the historical rivalry and information gaps between the secret police and the regular military have been replaced with real-time cooperation. Intelligence gathered by DSS operatives on the ground is now shared instantly with the army and air force, making joint military operations much safer and more successful.

Staff welfare and a fresh approach to discipline
Being friends with many DSS officials both in strategic and non strategic positions, I’ve come to learn that within the agency, Mr. Ajayi is widely respected and popular among his officers – earning the affectionate nickname “Welfare Pro Max” among personnel. He prioritizes staff welfare by addressing career stagnation, clearing retirement backlogs, and ensuring fairer promotion pathways.
However, this focus on welfare comes with strict accountability. Officers who step out of line or abuse their powers face transparent internal disciplinary actions rather than being shielded by the institution. This balance has raised overall morale and professionalism across the agency.

Rewriting the playbook on media relations
This aspect, I must confess, inspired this very piece. Perhaps the most visible change under his leadership is how the DSS under DG Ajayi relates to the media and the public. Historically, journalists viewed the agency with caution, knowing that reporting sensitive stories could lead to sudden arrests or harassment.

Today, that wall of hostility has been torn down. The DSS now resolves misunderstandings through open communication and dialogue. When minor issues have popped up with reporters, leadership has acted swiftly to apologize and fix the problem, ensuring journalists can work safely.

This positive shift has earned him major national and international recognition, including:
The Press Freedom Award from the International Press Institute (IPI) for protecting media workers.
The “Man of the Year” award from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Recognition as a “Friend of the Media” by the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).

Yours sincerely can attest to this by recalling the statement made by the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, when he remarked during the NUJ Security Summit in Abuja that “…we are so proud of the DSS under the current DG, Adeola Ajayi for keeping to his promise that no journalist should be arrested or harassed in the course of his or her duty – in fact the past over one year, we have not recorded any of such cases of harassment by DSS and we call on all security agencies to emulate the DSS…”

By combining firmness against violent criminals with genuine respect for human rights and free speech, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi is setting a new standard for public service in Nigeria.