President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Folashade Adekaiyaoja as the Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), marking a historic first for the security agency. Adekaiyaoja, who hails from Kogi State, becomes the first female operative to ascend to this position, a move widely regarded as groundbreaking in Nigeria’s security sector.
Sources within the presidency confirmed that this appointment is part of Tinubu’s broader agenda to reorganize the DSS for improved efficiency and professionalism. The recommendation for Adekaiyaoja’s promotion was reportedly made by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu through Oluwatosin Ajayi, the Director-General of the DSS.
This decision follows President Tinubu’s directive in December 2024, instructing security agencies to present strategies for enhanced service delivery. The appointment is seen as a step toward fostering career growth within the DSS and ensuring gender representation in leadership roles.
Adekaiyaoja’s rise is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the DSS, with a focus on leveraging technology to combat insecurity. Tinubu’s administration has pledged to provide the DSS and other security outfits with artificial intelligence-powered equipment, underscoring its commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s security infrastructure.
The president’s move has been lauded as a bold step toward restoring professionalism and inclusivity in one of Nigeria’s most critical security agencies.
