The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, with its “Man of the Year” award for his role in strengthening collaboration between security agencies and the media. The award was announced at the NUJ’s two-day National Security Summit in Abuja, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.” The summit drew media executives, journalists, security chiefs, policymakers, academics, civil society, and development partners.
Award Affirms Partnership and Openness
The NUJ stated that the honour was “an affirmation that partnership, openness, and mutual respect between the media and security institutions are vital to protecting lives, preserving democratic space, and advancing nation-building.” In presenting the award, the union recognised “a leadership approach that values engagement, transparency, and partnership.” Under Ajayi’s leadership, the DSS has pursued regular interaction with media stakeholders, creating channels that reduce suspicion, curb misinformation, and foster cooperative solutions to security challenges.
Summit Addresses National Security Challenges
NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, called the summit timely amid terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, violent extremism, separatist agitations, and hybrid threats. “National security is a shared responsibility requiring ethical, accurate journalism and coordinated action across institutions,” he said. The Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who chaired the event, commended both sides and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency collaboration, technology modernisation, and community-based responses.
Speakers Emphasise Strategic Communication and Press Freedom
Speakers including Prof. Okey Ikechukwu and IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed stressed that strategic communication and press freedom are mutually reinforcing. The President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Aisha Ibrahim, pushed for more women in peacebuilding during the summit.
Summit Recommendations
Delegates at the summit recommended institutionalising structured dialogue between media and security agencies, proactive and transparent communication from security services, stronger fact-checking and ethical standards in journalism, joint training for journalists and security communicators, and more funding for education, youth empowerment, state media, and modern security technology.
