The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, with its prestigious Man of the Year Award.

The award was one of the major highlights of the NUJ National Security Summit held in Abuja from June 18 to 19, 2026, which was organised in partnership with the DSS under the theme, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.”

The NUJ National President, Alhassan Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued at the end of the summit on Sunday.

According to the union, the recognition was in acknowledgment of Ajayi’s efforts in promoting openness, dialogue and better understanding between security institutions and the media.

“The NUJ noted that the Man of the Year Award recognises not only the Director-General’s professional accomplishments but also his leadership style, which is anchored on transparency, professionalism, inclusiveness, and a shared commitment to national progress,” the statement said.

The union also praised the DSS for its support towards the successful organisation of the summit and for encouraging dialogue-driven solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Participants at the event stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between the media and security agencies in protecting democracy, addressing misinformation and promoting national unity.

They called for continuous engagement, improved capacity building and the development of stronger communication frameworks between relevant institutions.

The NUJ further appreciated all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the summit and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible journalism, press freedom and constructive engagement with security organisations.