President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new Directors-General for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
This announcement was made on Monday by the Presidency’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.
According to the release, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed has been appointed as the new Director-General of the NIA, while Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi takes over as the Director-General of the DSS.
Ambassador Mohammed brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served in the foreign service since joining the NIA in 1995. His distinguished career has seen him occupy various key positions, including his recent role as the head of the Nigerian mission to Libya. A 1990 graduate of Bayero University, Kano, Ambassador Mohammed has also served in North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, and at the State House in Abuja.
Mr. Adeola Ajayi, the newly appointed DSS Director-General, has risen through the ranks within the DSS, recently holding the position of Assistant Director-General. Throughout his career, Ajayi has served as the State Director in several regions, including Bauchi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Kogi, earning a reputation for his diligence and expertise in security matters.
These appointments come in the wake of the resignation of the previous NIA and DSS chiefs, signalling a new chapter for Nigeria’s intelligence agencies. President Tinubu has expressed confidence in the new appointees, urging them to leverage their extensive experience to reposition the NIA and DSS for better efficiency. He emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and alignment with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to address the country’s pressing security challenges.
The President also extended his gratitude to the outgoing Directors-General for their service to the nation, wishing them success in their future endeavours.
This strategic leadership change is expected to bolster Nigeria’s security efforts as the country continues to navigate complex domestic and international challenges.