Nigeria President Appoints New Directors-General of NIA and DSS

Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed new heads for two key intelligence agencies: Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Ambassador Mohammed, a 1990 graduate of Bayero University, Kano, joined the NIA in 1995 and has since built a distinguished career in foreign service. His experience spans critical postings in North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, and the State House, Abuja. Before his recent appointment, he was leading Nigeria’s mission to Libya, where his diplomatic skills proved invaluable.

Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, the new head of the DSS, is a seasoned operative who has risen through the ranks over the years. His career includes key roles as State Director in Bauchi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Kogi. His leadership and strategic capabilities were most recently demonstrated as Assistant Director-General, a position that paved the way for his current appointment.

The appointments follow the resignation of the previous NIA and DSS chiefs. Nigeria President Tinubu has charged the new security heads with the task of strengthening the agencies, enhancing collaboration with sister agencies, and working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

The President also extended his gratitude to the outgoing Directors-General, recognizing their contributions to the nation and wishing them success in their future endeavors.

The appointments were announced by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on August 26, 2024.