The Department of State Services (DSS) recorded significant operational and institutional progress in 2025 under the leadership of Director-General Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, according to security analyst Deji Adesogan. Since taking office in 2024, Ajayi has shifted the Service toward intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing security threats before they escalate.
Last year, the DSS intensified efforts against terrorism, kidnapping, and arms trafficking across the North-East, North-West, and Middle Belt, neutralising multiple threats through strategic intelligence interventions. Collaboration with other agencies, including the Armed Forces and Nigeria Police Force, improved information sharing and operational efficiency across various security theatres.
Institutionally, the DSS addressed long-standing detention cases, released individuals held without sufficient legal basis, and complied with court compensation orders. These steps were praised by legal practitioners and civil society groups as moves toward stronger accountability and respect for the rule of law.
Under Ajayi, the DSS also enhanced staff welfare, training, and career development, incorporating programmes targeting cybercrime and transnational threats. Leadership reforms included the appointment of the first female Deputy Director-General and greater community engagement to strengthen local intelligence networks.
The Service’s improved relations with the media earned recognition from the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI), reflecting a more structured approach to press-related security matters. Analysts noted that while security challenges remain, the DSS’s 2025 developments show a clear commitment to operational effectiveness, institutional integrity, and public trust.
