Media–Security Synergy: DSS Boss Ajayi Bags NUJ ‘Man Of The Year’ Award

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Friday, honoured the Director‑General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for his leadership in strengthening collaboration between security agencies and the media, following a two‑day National Security Summit held in Abuja.

The NUJ’s decision to honour the DSS Director‑General was framed as an affirmation that partnership, openness and mutual respect between the media and security institutions were vital to protecting lives, preserving democratic space and advancing nation‑building.

This was made known on Friday while addressing the media on recommendations of the National Summit

The Summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building”, was organised by the NUJ in collaboration with the DSS and attracted media executives, journalists, chiefs of security and intelligence agencies, policymakers, academics, civil society actors and development partners.

Delegates met on June 18–19 June, to deliberate on how strategic communication, responsible journalism and coordinated security responses can jointly advance national stability.

In presenting the award, the NUJ said the investiture recognised more than a title: it honoured a leadership approach that values engagement, transparency and partnership.

Under Mr. Ajayi’s stewardship, the DSS has pursued regular and constructive interaction with media stakeholders, the union said, creating channels that reduce suspicion, curb misinformation and foster cooperative solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, described the summit as a timely intervention amid a complex security environment marked by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, violent extremism, separatist agitations and hybrid threats.

He reiterated that national security is a shared responsibility requiring ethical, accurate journalism and coordinated action across institutions.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who chaired the occasion, commended both the media and security agencies for their complementary roles.

He urged renewed trust and professionalism, while reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to intelligence driven operations, inter‑agency collaboration, technological modernisation and community‑based responses.

Speakers emphasised the media’s role as a “force multiplier” for security operations and a critical defender of democratic values.

Professor Okey Ikechukwu argued that strategic communication was essential to close information gaps that fuel harmful narratives. Musikilu Mojeed, President of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, underscored that press freedom and national security are mutually reinforcing and must be balanced through dialogue and due process.

Aisha Ibrahim, President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), called for greater inclusion of women in peacebuilding and security governance.

Summit participants made several observations, noting that sustainable security requires a whole‑of‑society approach that combines operational readiness with socio‑economic investment, community engagement and credible communication.

They raised particular concern about the threat of misinformation, the under‑utilisation of women and youth in peacebuilding, and the link between drug abuse and criminality.

Key recommendations adopted at the summit included institutionalising structured dialogue between media and security agencies, improving proactive and transparent communication from security services, strengthening fact‑checking and ethical standards in journalism, expanding joint training for journalists and security communicators, and integrating summit outcomes into national security frameworks.

Participants also urged increased government investment in education, youth empowerment, state‑owned media, and enhanced funding for security agencies to procure modern technology and logistics.

In its appreciation, the summit expressly thanked Mr. Ajayi and the leadership of the DSS for their foresight and collaborative spirit in making the summit possible.

The communiqué was drafted by Shu’aibu Usman Leman, Abdulrazak Bello Kaura and Ayuku Pwaspo, and signed by NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, on Friday, June 19, 2026.