President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, following his recognition as a defender of press freedom by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Ajayi received the commendation award at the IPI’s Annual Conference held on December 2, 2025, in Abuja.
The IPI praised Ajayi, stating that “since his appointment as Director-General of the DSS in late August 2024, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi has consistently shown a strong commitment to press freedom and demonstrated respect for journalists and media organisations.”
The organisation added, “This recognition is not only to acknowledge his remarkable contributions to press freedom but also to encourage further efforts and to motivate other officials, institutions, and organisations to follow his example.”
In a statement released on Sunday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu welcomed the award and lauded Ajayi for promoting press freedom, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and executing his responsibilities within legal boundaries.
The President noted that under Ajayi’s leadership, the DSS is changing the previously tense relationship with the media, fostering dialogue, and encouraging constructive engagement with the public.
President Tinubu urged other security agencies and officials to take a cue from the DSS, treating journalists as partners rather than adversaries.
He further encouraged the DSS to continue its efforts in creating a more enabling environment for media practitioners to perform their duties, in line with constitutional provisions that empower the press to hold public officials accountable.
