Tinubu Appoints First Deputy DG for Nigeria's Secret Police, the DSS in Historic Reform

By Dansu Peter  In a groundbreaking development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Arinola Adekaiyaoja a...

By Dansu Peter 

In a groundbreaking development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Arinola Adekaiyaoja as the Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Department of State Services (DSS). This marks the first time in the agency’s history that a Deputy DG position has been formally established and filled, in line with its original organizational structure.  

The appointment, which was recommended by DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi and endorsed by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, aims to enhance the operational efficiency of the country’s premier intelligence agency.  

Sources revealed that the DSS hierarchy was designed to include three Deputy Directors General, but the structure had never been fully implemented. A presidency source described the move as “unprecedented in the history of the Secret Service,” signaling a major step towards aligning the agency with international best practices.  

“This reform reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security apparatus and ensuring the DSS operates at peak efficiency,” the source stated.  

Adekaiyaoja, a seasoned intelligence officer from Kogi State, is widely regarded as highly qualified for the role. Her appointment has been welcomed by DSS officers and operatives, who view it as a positive development for career progression within the Service.  

“This decision will undoubtedly boost morale and create a more robust leadership framework within the DSS,” a retired officer remarked.  

The appointment aligns with President Tinubu’s broader security strategy, which includes equipping security agencies with state-of-the-art technology. During the graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 last December, the President, represented by NSA Ribadu, emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence and other advanced tools in tackling modern security challenges.  

He also urged all security agencies to work collaboratively to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.  

Since assuming office in August 2024, DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi has initiated sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the agency into one of the most effective covert security organizations globally. The creation of the DDG role is a key part of these reforms.  

“With this appointment, the DSS is poised to lead a new era of intelligence gathering and national security management,” a security analyst noted.  

Adekaiyaoja’s appointment is seen as a defining moment in the Tinubu administration’s effort to strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence and security framework.