The Department of State Services, DSS, failed to honour its commitment at the NUJ National Security Summit on Friday, creating a notable setback just one day after the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris publicly commended the agency for professionalism and improved relations with journalists.
The 2-day summit, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists ended on a sour note after DSS Director General Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi* did not attend to deliver the Day 2 keynote paper on the theme: “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”
On Thursday, Idris had lauded the DSS for what he called an 18-month period without any journalist arrest or detention, citing NUJ National President Comrade Alhassan Yahaya as his source. Both Idris and Yahaya poured accolades on the DSS for building a cordial relationship with the media.
The DG’s absence on Day 2 therefore struck stakeholders as a contradiction. His paper was billed as the summit’s high point, expected to outline the DSS roadmap for deeper media-security collaboration in countering terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, misinformation and violent extremism.
Despite the DSS snub, the summit recorded strong attendance from other security and media stakeholders. A representative of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, was present, signalling the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to dialogue with journalists.
NUJ President Yahaya had earlier described the summit as a historic platform to strengthen cooperation between reporters and security institutions. He stressed that national security “requires the collective efforts of government institutions, the media, civil society, and citizens working together.”
The DG’s no-show has raised questions among delegates about the consistency of the DSS’s public commitment to press freedom and partnership. Some journalists at the event noted that sustained engagement, not just commendations, is needed to build trust.
As of press time, the DSS had not issued an official explanation for the DG’s absence or whether a representative would deliver the paper at a later date.
The summit ended with calls for all security agencies, including the DSS and Police, to institutionalize regular engagement with the media as a strategic tool for national security and public confidence.
