The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, has proposed a policy mandating the recruitment of first-class graduates into the intelligence agency.
Speaking at the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at the University of Ilorin, he emphasized the importance of attracting top-tier intellectuals to strengthen national security.
Represented by Deputy Director Mr. Patrick Ikenweiwe, Ajayi underscored the need for a paradigm shift in recruitment practices, citing Israel’s university admission system as a model.
He noted that exceptional minds are essential in combating sophisticated criminal activities, stating, “It takes intellect to track criminality.”
Ajayi also highlighted the negative public perception of security agencies, which he believes hampers intelligence gathering and national integration.
He stressed that security officers should be seen as allies rather than adversaries.
“The academia should be able to supply us, sincerely, the details of students who have excelled in their various fields of study so that they would be forced to serve this great nation,” he said.
Furthermore, he expressed concern that allowing less-qualified individuals into security agencies could weaken intelligence operations against highly organized criminal networks.
Moreover, Ajayi’s proposal aims to enhance the strategic capabilities of the DSS by ensuring a workforce equipped with analytical and problem-solving skills.
He questioned how a dull-witted individual could counteract criminal gangs composed of highly intelligent members.
“Tell me, how would a ‘Dundee’ (dullard) be able to keep security in a criminal gang that is constituted of first-class people?” he asked.
His statement underscores the necessity of recruiting individuals with sharp intellects to tackle complex security challenges.
The DSS chief’s remarks have sparked discussions on the future of security recruitment in Nigeria.
While some view the idea as a transformative step towards strengthening intelligence operations, others argue that competence should not be solely measured by academic performance.
However, Ajayi remains firm in his stance, advocating for policies that prioritize intellectual excellence in security agencies.
By incorporating highly skilled graduates into national security frameworks, the DSS aims to develop more innovative and effective approaches to safeguarding the nation.
