Tinubu Appoints Mohammed, Ajayi as Heads of NIA, DSS

President Bola Tinubu has appointed new Directors for Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement on Monday, August 26,2024, presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said Tinubu appointed Mohammed Mohammed as the new NIA Director-General while Adeola Ajayi has been appointed to lead the DSS.

These appointments follow the resignations of Ahmed Rufai, the former NIA chief, and Yusuf Bichi, the former DSS chief, Ngelale said.

Although President Tinubu had retained both Rufai and Bichi in June 2023 after dismissing other security heads, he has now chosen to make changes in these key positions.

Mohammed, a seasoned diplomat, has served in various international roles since joining the NIA in 1995 and was previously the head of Nigeria’s mission in Libya.

Ajayi on the other hand, who has been with the DSS for many years, previously held the position of Assistant Director-General and has extensive experience in state-level security roles.

“President Tinubu expects the new appointees to improve the effectiveness of the intelligence agencies, enhance collaboration with other security bodies, and align closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Finally, Ngelale said “the President thanks the outgoing Directors-General of the two pivotal intelligence agencies for their services to the nation while wishing them success in their future endeavours”.