President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, following his recognition by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute for his commitment to press freedom.
The commendation was conveyed in an official statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement was titled, President Tinubu Congratulates DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi On International Press Institute Press Freedom Award.
Okay News reports that the award was presented to Ajayi during the annual conference of the International Press Institute, a global organization dedicated to the promotion and defense of press freedom and journalism standards worldwide. The conference took place on Monday, December 1, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city and seat of the Federal Government.
The International Press Institute explained that the recognition followed observable changes in the approach of the Department of State Services to journalists and media institutions since Ajayi’s appointment as Director-General in late August 2024.
According to the organization, “Since he was appointed Director-General of the Department of State Services in late August 2024, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi has demonstrated an unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.”
The International Press Institute further stated, “We do so not only to acknowledge his commendable press freedom credentials but also to encourage him to do even more and to inspire other officials, institutions, and organisations to emulate his example.”
President Tinubu welcomed the international recognition and praised the Director-General for balancing national security responsibilities with respect for constitutional rights. He described the award as a reflection of professional conduct and institutional reform within Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency.
“The President affirms that the Department of State Services under Mr Ajayi is changing the narrative of hostility against members of the press and creating an atmosphere of dialogue and robust engagement with the civil populace,” Bayo Onanuga said in the statement.
The Nigerian leader encouraged other security agencies across the country to adopt similar approaches by engaging journalists as partners in nation-building rather than adversaries. He emphasized that open communication with the media strengthens democratic governance and accountability.
President Tinubu also urged the Department of State Services to sustain the momentum by continuing to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media practitioners to perform their duties without intimidation or undue interference, in line with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions that empower the media to hold public officials accountable.
