Sulaiman-Ibrahim Lauds Nigerian DG for Supporting Women & Gender Balance

• Nigerian women praised President Tinubu for appointing Ms. Adekaiyaoja as DSS Deputy Director-General, showing support for gender balance.
• Sulaiman-Ibrahim commended the DG for empowering women and ensuring staff welfare, while the DG committed to DSS reforms.

Nigerian women have praised President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ms.Folashade Adekaiyaoja as the first Deputy director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS). This unprecedented move aims to revise the agency's structure for improved efficiency.

Women from various Civil Society organizations, including NCWS, FOMWAN, NAWOJ, and AWITA, recently visited the DSS Director General in Abuja to commend President Tinubu. Led by Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, they praised his appointment of Ms. Adekaiyaoja, calling it a sign of his commitment to Nigerian women’s interests. The visit included Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, Dr. Asabe Vilita, and other senior Ministry officers.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim praised the Director-General for prioritizing staff welfare and eliminating gender barriers. She highlighted his recommendation of Adekaiyaoja as evidence of his alignment with President Tinubu’s gender balance policy in appointments and commended the DG’s leadership for supporting women’s advancement.

In a statement by her Special Adviser, Jonathan Eze, Sulaiman-Ibrahim lauded President Tinubu as a visionary leader. She noted his continued support for women, even after his tenure as Lagos State Governor. She praised his initiatives, such as providing safe spaces for women and children and his policies against abuse. Sulaiman-Ibrahim also highlighted the significant budgetary allocations for women’s ministries under the President’s leadership, expressing hopes for continued success.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also commended the DG for his efforts to empower the spouses and children of retired or fallen colleagues, highlighting his sponsorship of a training program for women at the NCWD.

In response, the DG expressed that his mother's love shaped his respect for women, driving him to oppose violence against them. He emphasized that leadership is infectious, ensuring staff under him respect women and address abuse. The DG also reiterated his commitment to sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the DSS into one of the world’s most efficient covert security agencies since his appointment in August 2024.