In a bold move to bolster national security, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, has called for a mandatory policy that prioritizes the recruitment of first-class graduates into the intelligence agency. Ajayi made this announcement during the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
Titled “The Roles of the DSS in Security, Peacekeeping, and National Integration,” Ajayi’s lecture emphasized the urgent need for a shift in recruitment practices within security agencies to ensure that only the most capable individuals are enlisted. Represented by the DSS Deputy Director, Mr. Patrick Ikenweiwe, Ajayi drew comparisons to Israel’s selective university admission system, suggesting that Nigeria could benefit from a similar approach to enhance its security framework.
Ajayi noted that a significant challenge lies in public perception, as many Nigerians view security agencies as adversaries rather than allies. This perception, he argued, hampers effective intelligence gathering and peacebuilding initiatives. He stressed that the complexities of modern security threats—ranging from terrorism to cybercrime—require exceptional intellect and skill.
“Intelligence work demands intellect,” Ajayi stated. “How can someone lacking in this regard effectively combat sophisticated criminal networks? We need the best and the brightest to tackle these challenges.”
He advocated for a collaboration between academia and security agencies to identify and recruit top-performing graduates, asserting that this would strengthen the DSS’s operational capabilities.
In addition to his recruitment proposal, Ikenweiwe provided an overview of the DSS’s mandate, which includes preventing and detecting crimes against Nigeria’s internal security, as well as advising the government on national security matters. He highlighted the evolving nature of threats facing the nation, calling for strategic collaborations with other security agencies to address these challenges effectively.
The lecture also coincided with a visit from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who received a delegation from the DSS at the State House in Abuja. During this visit, she praised the agency for appointing a woman to a high-ranking position, emphasizing the importance of gender inclusivity in leadership roles within the security sector.
The push for a policy mandating the recruitment of Nigeria’s brightest minds into intelligence services underscores the DSS’s commitment to enhancing its effectiveness in a rapidly changing security landscape. By prioritizing academic excellence in recruitment, the agency aims to fortify its role in safeguarding national peace and integration.
