Security experts and education analysts have raised concerns over the recent call by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, for a policy mandating the recruitment of first-class graduates into the intelligence agency.

Ajayi argues that such a policy would strengthen national security by bringing in the brightest minds, critics warn that intelligence work requires more than just academic excellence.

Speaking at the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Ajayi, represented by DSS Deputy Director Mr. Patrick Ikenweiwe, stated that intelligence work demands high intellect to counter sophisticated criminal networks.

“Tell me, how would a ‘Dundee’ (dullard) be able to track security threats in a criminal gang that consists of first-class people?” he remarked.

However, security analyst Dr. Abdulrahman Yusuf disagrees with this approach, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, field experience, and emotional intelligence in intelligence work.

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“Recruiting based purely on academic grades is not the best way to build an effective security force. Intelligence gathering requires a combination of analytical skills, psychological resilience, and street-level awareness,” he said.

Similarly, education consultant Prof. Mojisola Alade questioned whether academic excellence alone guarantees the competence needed in high-pressure security roles.

“A first-class degree does not necessarily translate to high intelligence in real-world scenarios. Many top operatives in global intelligence agencies did not have the highest academic scores, but they possessed skills such as intuition, adaptability, and quick decision-making,” she noted.

Beyond the debate on recruitment criteria, some analysts believe the DSS should focus on structural reforms rather than selective academic qualifications. Security expert and retired military officer Col. Benjamin Akinlade (rtd.) suggested that improving training, technology, and inter-agency collaboration would have a greater impact.

“What we need is a more sophisticated intelligence network that integrates modern technology and community-based intelligence. Relying solely on academic excellence is not the solution,” he argued.