The appointment of Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi on August 26, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu makes him the 10th Director-General of Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) popularly known as the Department of State Services (DSS).
Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo was the pioneer DG of the paramilitary organisation which was created in June 1986 by the military junta of Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
Of all of them, Kayode Are was the longest-serving DSS boss. He was in office from May 1999 till August 2007.
Below is the list of DG of SSS from 1986 to date:
1) Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo: June 1986 – September 1990
2) Albert Korubo Horsfall: September 1990 – October 1992
3) Peter Nwaoduah: October 1992 – June 1998
4) Lateef Kayode Are: May 1999 – August 2007
5) Afakriya Aduwa Gadzama: August 2007 – September 7, 2010
6) Ita Essien Ekpeyong: September 7, 2010 – July 2, 2015
7) Lawal Musa Daura: July 2, 2015 – August 7, 2018
8) Matthew Seiyefa: August 7, 2018 – September 14, 2018
9) Yusuf Magaji Bichi: September 14, 2018 – August 26, 2024
10) Mr Adeola Ajayi: August 26, 2024 –
Brief History of SSS
The SSS, which is responsible for domestic intelligence, was carved out of the National Security Organization (NSO), following its dissolution by Decree Number 19 in June 1986 by the IBB military regime.
Other security outfits the NSO gave birth to included the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), which manages external intelligence and counterintelligence; the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) was saddled with the responsibility of handling military-related intelligence outside and within Nigeria.
The SS is under the control of the National Security Adviser with its headquarters in Abuja and state offices in all the states’ capital.
Why the name change from SSS to DSS
You may be wondering why SSS is now popularly known as DSS. A Military Government’s proclamation in 1998 directed the SSS to operate as a department within the Ministry of Defence, since then the SSS has adopted the name “Department of State Services” (DSS).
