The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, MON, has described his conferment as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Man of the Year 2026 as a strong endorsement of the growing partnership between Nigeria’s security agencies and the media.
Speaking after receiving the award on Monday, Ajayi expressed deep appreciation to the NUJ, saying the recognition reflects the positive relationship the DSS has built with the media since he assumed office.
“I so much value this award coming from the Nigeria Union of Journalists; hence the reason I chose to receive it personally,” he said.
“Since assuming office, the media has been a friend of the Service, and we will continue to partner in areas we can for the development of the country.”
The DSS boss reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to press freedom, recalling his pledge that there would be “no arrest of journalists.”
He noted that the DSS has remained faithful to that commitment, adding that the honour would further inspire the Service to strengthen its efforts in promoting national security while supporting professional capacity-building for journalists.
Earlier, NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, said the union’s National Executive Council unanimously selected Ajayi for the prestigious award in recognition of his leadership in strengthening media engagement and the DSS’s support for the NUJ National Security Summit held in Abuja in June.
Abdullahi said the award recognises Ajayi’s professionalism, dedication to public service, and commitment to fostering mutual understanding, responsible communication, and institutional cooperation between the media and security agencies.
The ceremony ended with a renewed commitment by the NUJ and the DSS to deepen collaboration in advancing national security, democratic values, and sustainable development through mutual respect, openness, and constructive engagement.
