Rights group hails DSS Director General, Ajayi, over The Sun ‘Courage in Leadership Award’

The group commended the Service’s new era of rule-of-law compliance, judicial respect, and victim compensation, adding that the honour has validated modernisation of Nigeria’s intelligence architecture

The Centre for Public Integrity (CPI) has extended its warmest felicitations to the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, following his prestigious conferment with The Sun ‘Courage in Leadership Award.’

According to the Centre, the award underscores a pivotal paradigm shift within the nation’s premier domestic intelligence agency since President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Ajayi as DG.

“This recognition by The Sun is not merely ceremonial; it is an objective verdict on a leader who has demonstrated the rare courage to modernize a critical security institution from within, and President Tinubu’s penchant for appointing the right people,” the statement read.

“Mr Ajayi has successfully steered the DSS away from traditional strong-arm perceptions toward a sophisticated, intelligence-driven, and citizen-respecting agency.”

Highlighting the hallmarks of the current administration, the CPI noted that the DSS has recorded remarkable operational milestones in neutralizing complex security threats, dismantling transnational arms syndicates, and preempting asymmetric attacks through covert, surgical intelligence gathering.

More importantly, the group applauded the Service’s unprecedented respect for the rule of law and judicial authority—a development it described as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

“For the first time in recent memory, Nigerians are witnessing a secret police leadership that actively submits its operations to the crucible of legal due process,” the group stated.

“Under Mr Ajayi’s watch, the Service has not only secured a string of landmark judicial victories through diligent, evidence-based prosecution, but has also exhibited remarkable institutional maturity by obeying court orders, reviewing past operational excesses, and ensuring the payment of court-mandated compensations to citizens previously affected by wrongful arrests or prolonged detention.”

The Centre emphasized that pairing ruthless efficiency against enemies of the state with genuine empathy and restitution for innocent citizens represents the gold standard of modern intelligence leadership. By strengthening inter-agency synergy, opening constructive channels with civil society and the media, and prioritizing personnel welfare, the DG has elevated the DSS into a formidable pillar of national stability.

While urging Mr Ajayi to view the accolade as an inspiration for greater national service, the Centre called on

other heads of security and law enforcement agencies to emulate his template of transparent, accountable, and rights-based leadership.

“We congratulate the Director-General on this well-deserved feather in his cap. As Nigeria navigates complex security challenges, the nation requires precisely this brand of courageous, cerebral, and law-abiding stewardship to safeguard our sovereignty and democracy,” the statement concluded.