Tinubu appoints new NIA, DSS heads

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed as the new Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency and Adeola Ajayi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Service.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

According to the statement, the appointments follow the resignation of the previous heads of the two agencies.

Mohammed, a seasoned foreign service officer, has had a distinguished career spanning over two decades, serving in various roles and countries, including North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, and Libya, according to the statement by Ngelale.

Similarly, Ajayi, the new DSS chief, was said to have risen through the ranks, serving as State Director in several states, including Bauchi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Kogi.

Mohammed succeeded Ahmed Abubakar, who resigned from his position as the NIA Director-General on Saturday night, citing family and personal reasons for his resignation.

Abubakar was first appointed DG of the NIA in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who extended his stay in office in December 2021, while Bichi was also appointed DSS DG in 2018 by Buhari.

The statement added, “President Tinubu has charged the new security chiefs to work together to reposition the agencies for better results, tackle security challenges, and enhance collaboration with sister agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“The President has also thanked the outgoing Directors-General for their service to the nation and wished them success in their future endeavours.”