President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, on his recognition as a champion of press freedom by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Ajayi was honoured with a commendation award at the Annual Conference of the IPI held on December 2, 2025, in Abuja, in recognition of his commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations since his appointment as DSS Director-General in August 2024.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu welcomed the IPI recognition and commended the DSS Director-General for ensuring press freedom, upholding citizens’ rights, and discharging his duties within the bounds of the law.
The statement quoted the IPI as saying that since his appointment, Ajayi has demonstrated “an unmistakable commitment to press freedom,” adding that the award was meant not only to acknowledge his credentials but also to encourage him to do more and inspire other officials and institutions to emulate his example.
President Tinubu noted that the DSS under Ajayi’s leadership is changing the narrative of hostility against journalists and media organisations, creating an atmosphere of dialogue and robust engagement with the civil populace.
The President urged other security agencies and public officials to engage the media as partners rather than adversaries, while encouraging the DSS to sustain its efforts in fostering an enabling environment for journalists and media practitioners to carry out their constitutional responsibility of holding public officials accountable.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
