President Tinubu Appoints Folashade Adekaiyaoja as DSS Deputy Director General
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Arinola Adekaiyaoja fsi+, fdc, as the new Deputy Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS). This marks a historic first in the agency’s history, with the move drawing widespread commendation from both serving and retired DSS officers who view it as a significant step toward restoring professionalism to the organization.
The approval, which is the first of its kind by any president, is aimed at revising the agency’s structure for better efficiency, in line with the original mandate of the DSS. Sources within the service revealed that the DSS is traditionally structured to have three Deputy Directors General, and Adekaiyaoja’s appointment, ratified by President Tinubu, is based on the recommendation of the DSS Director-General through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Adekaiyaoja, a native of Kogi State, is celebrated by a cross-section of officers within the agency who consider her highly qualified for the position. According to security sources, the appointment is seen as a major boost to career progression within the DSS, as it adheres to the agency’s extant regulations and sets a new precedent in its leadership structure.
The presidential approval also aligns with President Tinubu’s broader commitment to enhancing national security. In line with this commitment, President Tinubu had tasked heads of security agencies to submit proposals on how to improve their service delivery. Many within the DSS believe that Adekaiyaoja’s appointment will strengthen the agency and lead to more effective service.
During the investiture ceremony for the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 graduates in December 2024, President Tinubu pledged support for the DSS and other security agencies, promising to equip them with state-of-the-art, Artificial Intelligence-powered tools to combat insecurity across Nigeria.
The DSS Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, who assumed office in late August 2024, had previously promised sweeping reforms within the agency, with a focus on transforming the DSS into one of the most efficient covert security agencies globally. The appointment of Adekaiyaoja is seen as a step toward fulfilling that vision.
