Tinubu appoints Adekaiyaoja as first female deputy DG of DSS

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Adekaiyaoja as deputy director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Adekaiyaoja, who hails from Kogi state, is the first female operative of the DSS to occupy the position.

While the presidency has not made an official statement, a source told TheCable that the appointment is part of the president’s efforts to reorganise the secret police for better performance.

The source, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the appointment, said Tinubu is poised to restore professionalism to the service.

He added that the appointment, the first by any president in the history of Nigeria, also aims at enhancing career progression for operatives in the service.

TheCable understands that Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), recommended Adekaiyaoja for the appointment through Oluwatosin Ajayi, the DG of the DSS.

In December 2024, President Tinubu tasked security agencies to propose ways to improve service delivery, and Adekaiyaoja’s appointment is seen as a key step in this direction.

He had also promised to support the DSS and other security agencies with artificial intelligence-powered equipment to combat insecurity.