The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, has been honoured with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) “Man of the Year” award in recognition of what the union described as his efforts in strengthening cooperation between security agencies and the media in Nigeria.
The award was presented during the NUJ National Security Summit held in Abuja from June 18 to 19, 2026. The summit brought together a wide range of stakeholders including journalists, media executives, security chiefs, policymakers, academics, civil society organisations, and development partners. Discussions centred on improving trust, communication, and collaboration between the press and security institutions in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to the NUJ, the recognition reflects a leadership approach that prioritises engagement, transparency, and structured dialogue between security agencies and journalists. The union noted that under Ajayi’s leadership, the DSS has expanded channels of interaction with media professionals, helping to reduce tension, curb misinformation, and encourage more coordinated responses to national security concerns.
The NUJ, an influential professional body representing journalists across Nigeria, stressed that modern security challenges require a balance between operational secrecy and responsible public communication. It added that stronger partnerships between the media and security agencies are essential for safeguarding lives, protecting democratic institutions, and ensuring national stability.
Speaking at the summit, NUJ National President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi described the gathering as timely, given the country’s current security climate marked by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, violent extremism, separatist movements, and other hybrid threats. He emphasized that national security cannot be achieved by security agencies alone, but through collective responsibility that includes ethical journalism and accurate reporting.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who chaired the event, commended both the media and security community for improving engagement. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing, enhanced inter-agency coordination, technological modernization, and community-based security strategies aimed at addressing insecurity more effectively.
Also contributing to the discussions, media and policy experts such as Professor Okey Ikechukwu and the President of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, highlighted the importance of strategic communication and safeguarding press freedom while maintaining national stability. They argued that transparency and responsible journalism are not contradictory to security but rather reinforce it when properly balanced.
The National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) President, Aisha Ibrahim, also used the platform to advocate for increased inclusion of women in peacebuilding and security-related dialogue, noting that gender-balanced participation strengthens conflict resolution and community engagement.
Overall, the award reflects a broader push toward rebuilding trust between the media and security institutions, with stakeholders emphasizing dialogue, professionalism, and collaboration as key tools in addressing Nigeria’s complex security landscape.
