By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, has described his emergence as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Man of the Year 2026 as a strong endorsement of the growing collaboration between national security agencies and the media.
Ajayi made the remark while receiving the prestigious award, expressing gratitude to the leadership of the NUJ for the honour, which he said reflected the cordial relationship that has developed between the DSS and the media since he assumed office.
According to the DSS chief, the award held special significance because it came from the country’s umbrella body of journalists, prompting him to personally attend the ceremony to receive the recognition.
“I so much value this award coming from the Nigeria Union of Journalists; hence the reason I chose to receive it personally,” Ajayi said.
He noted that the media has remained a dependable partner of the Service and pledged to sustain collaboration with journalists in areas that would contribute to national development.
The DSS Director-General also reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to protecting press freedom, recalling his public declaration that journalists would not be arrested in the course of their professional duties.
He stated that the agency had remained faithful to that commitment and described the award as an encouragement to intensify efforts towards strengthening national security while supporting initiatives that enhance the professional capacity of journalists.
Earlier, the National President of the , Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, disclosed that the union’s National Executive Council unanimously selected Ajayi as the recipient of the 2026 Man of the Year Award.
Abdullahi said the decision was informed by the DSS boss’s commitment to strengthening engagement with the media as well as the agency’s significant support for the NUJ National Security Summit held in Abuja in June.
He explained that the honour was in recognition of Ajayi’s professionalism, dedication to public service and efforts at promoting mutual understanding, responsible communication and stronger institutional cooperation between security agencies and the media.
The NUJ President added that the award also symbolised the union’s appreciation of initiatives that encourage openness, trust and constructive engagement between the press and security institutions.
The ceremony ended with a renewed commitment by the NUJ and the DSS to deepen institutional collaboration in support of a secure, democratic and prosperous Nigeria founded on mutual respect and transparency.
Precise Post recalls that the event was attended by senior management officials of the DSS and top executives of the NUJ, including National Secretary Comrade Achike Chude and Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike.
