The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is to confer its prestigious Man of the Year Award on the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and remarkable contributions in strengthening collaboration between the media and security institutions in Nigeria.
The award was one of the major highlights of the NUJ national security summit held in Abuja, from June 18–19, 2026, organised in collaboration with the DSS with the theme: “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”
In a statement issued at the conclusion of the summit, the NUJ National President, Alhassan Abdullahi, said the award reflects Mr. Ajayi’s commitment to fostering openness, dialogue, and mutual understanding between security agencies and the media at a time when effective communication remains vital to national stability and development.
According to the NUJ, the DSS under the leadership of Mr. Ajayi has demonstrated a consistent willingness to engage constructively with media stakeholders, promoting a partnership-driven approach that has strengthened trust, enhanced cooperation, and improved coordination in the national security communication landscape.
The NUJ noted that the Man of the Year Award recognises not only the director-general’s professional accomplishments but also his leadership style, which is anchored on transparency, professionalism, inclusiveness, and a shared commitment to national progress.
The union further acknowledged the DSS’s support for the successful hosting of the national security summit and its efforts in advancing dialogue-based approaches to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
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Participants at the summit reaffirmed the critical role of both the media and security agencies in safeguarding democracy, promoting peacebuilding, combating misinformation and disinformation, and fostering national cohesion.
They called for sustained engagement, capacity building, and the strengthening of institutional communication frameworks to consolidate the gains recorded through existing partnerships.
The NUJ expressed appreciation to all stakeholders and participants who contributed to the success of the summit and reiterated its commitment to promoting responsible journalism, press freedom, and constructive engagement with security institutions in the national interest.
