By NEWSCOUNT Desk
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, MON, has received the Nation Builder Award for Excellence in Intelligence Leadership and National Security in recognition of his leadership of the Service and contributions to national security.
The award was presented at the fourth edition of the Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026, held on Friday, October 2, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja.
The conference was organised by the National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO) and Vision One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI) to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and honour Nigerians whose contributions have advanced peace, unity, security and nation building.
Speaking at the event, the National President of NACCSO and VOLDI, Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny, described Ajayi as a silent achiever, a thoroughbred professional and a reform-minded intelligence chief who had brought a new approach to intelligence leadership in Nigeria.
Johnny stated that since assuming office on August 26, 2024, Ajayi had promoted professionalism, respect for human rights, adherence to the rule of law and operational discipline within the Service.
He also noted that Ajayi was the first cadet in the history of the DSS to rise to the position of Director-General.
The NACCSO and VOLDI president commended the Service for its intelligence-led operations against terrorist cells, kidnapping networks, arms trafficking rings and cybercrime syndicates. He further stated that the DSS had provided strategic intelligence support for high-profile international joint operations.
Johnny stressed that effective intelligence gathering and cooperation among security agencies were important in tackling the country’s security challenges.
He also praised the DG for reforms aimed at improving the conduct and efficiency of DSS operatives. These, he said, included stronger inter-agency collaboration, improved accountability, respect for civil liberties and internal restructuring.
The civil society leader particularly commended Ajayi’s reported directives barring operatives from interfering in civil disputes and harassing or arresting journalists, describing them as measures that promote respect for the law and citizens’ rights.
The organisers said the award was presented in appreciation of Ajayi’s service, leadership and contributions to national security and nation building.
They congratulated him on the honour and wished him greater wisdom and strength in the discharge of his duties.
The civil society community also pledged its continued support for the DSS and other security agencies, with a commitment to complementing their work through advocacy against crime.
