Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi,The Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) has pledged to champion the fair treatment of journalists and is currently engaging other security heads to prioritize media protection nationwide. In a letter to the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria dated December 19, 2025, Ajayi committed to creating a “conducive atmosphere” for media practitioners, aligning the agency’s operations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to protect all citizens regardless of profession.
Moving beyond internal reforms, Ajayi disclosed that he has initiated formal discussions with his counterparts in other security agencies to ensure that the fair treatment of the press becomes a standard protocol across Nigeria’s entire security apparatus. The Director-General’s remarks came in response to a commendation award recently conferred upon him by IPI Nigeria during its 2025 Annual Conference. The media advocacy body noted a significant departure from previous years, during which the SSS was frequently criticized for the harassment and intimidation of journalists.
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Under Ajayi’s leadership which began in August 2024 the IPI highlighted a new era of restraint, professionalism, and openness to dialogue. The organization cited several specific instances where Ajayi’s personal intervention resolved long-standing or high-tension conflicts, such as ending decades of border harassment for IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade and ordering the swift release of journalist Adejuwon Soyinka.
The agency has also shown a commitment to internal accountability; in October 2025, Ajayi ordered disciplinary action against officers who illegally detained journalists from Jay 101.9 FM in Jos and mandated a formal apology to the station. While pledging protection, Ajayi also commended the IPI for its role in promoting responsible and balanced reportage concerning sensitive national security issues. IPI Secretary Ahmed I. Shekarau stated that the organization publicly recognized these efforts to inspire similar reforms across other public institutions and organizations in Nigeria.
