By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, on his recognition as a champion of press freedom by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Mr. Ajayi received a commendation award at the IPI Annual Conference held on December 2, 2025, in Abuja, in recognition of his commitment to press freedom since assuming office in August 2024.
According to the IPI, the DSS Director-General has demonstrated “an unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations” since his appointment. The organisation said the award was not only to acknowledge his credentials on press freedom but also to encourage him to do more and inspire other public officials and institutions to follow his example.
President Tinubu welcomed the honour, commending Mr. Ajayi for promoting press freedom, upholding citizens’ rights, and carrying out his responsibilities within the confines of the law.
The President noted that under Mr. Ajayi’s leadership, the DSS has begun to change the narrative of hostility toward journalists by fostering dialogue and encouraging robust engagement with the civil populace.
He urged other security agencies and public officials to emulate the DSS by engaging the media as partners rather than adversaries, stressing the critical role of the press in a democratic society.
President Tinubu also encouraged the DSS to sustain its efforts in creating an enabling environment for journalists and media practitioners to perform their professional duties, in line with constitutional provisions that empower the media to hold public officials accountable.
The message was conveyed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on December 21, 2025.