DG seeks compulsory recruitment of first-class graduates into DSS

• Ajayi emphasized the importance of attracting top talent to the Department of Security Services (DSS) during the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at the University of Ilorin.

• He advocated for a significant change in recruitment practices, drawing parallels to Israel’s selective university admission system.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, has proposed a policy aimed at ensuring the recruitment of first-class graduates into the intelligence agency.

Speaking at the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture held at the University of Ilorin, Ajayi underscored the importance of attracting top talent to the DSS to bolster national security.

He advocated for a fundamental change in recruitment strategies, likening it to Israel’s selective university admission process.

In his absence, Deputy Director Mr. Patrick Ikenweiwe represented the DG and emphasized the necessity of transforming the public’s perception of security agencies, which are frequently seen as adversaries rather than partners. He pointed out that such negative views obstruct effective intelligence operations and hinder national cohesion.

He said, “Like I know, in Israel, there is one examination that students take to get admitted into the university. The moment you score above 70 marks, you have no option but to be sent to the university there.

“Tell me how would a ‘Dundee’ (dullard) be able to keep security in a criminal gang that is constituted of First Class people? You know, it takes intellect to track criminality.

“So, if I have my way in this country, and we keep praying that we do the right thing, 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.”