The mission of the DSS is to protect and defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria against domestic threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of Nigeria.
The Department of State Services (DSS) also known as the State Security Service (SSS), is the primary domestic intelligence agency of Nigeria. It is primarily responsible for intelligence gathering within the country and for the protection of senior government officials, particularly the President and state governors. The DSS or SSS operates as a department within the presidency and is under the control of the National Security Adviser.
Skills and Knowledge for DSS Career in Nigeria
The primary responsibility of Department of State Services (DSS) includes the collection of intelligence for good governance and national safety. It ensures the protection of the State and its officials, citizens, critical resources and infrastructure from domestic threat. To become a Department of State Services (DSS) officer, you’ll need the following skills:
- Service skills for challenging people politely but firmly
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- Knowledge of public safety and security
- The ability to work well with others
- To be thorough and pay attention to detail
- The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- Concentration skills to stay alert and aware of your surroundings
- The ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
- To be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Functions of Department of State Services (DSS)
The Department of State Services (DSS) or State Security Service (SSS) is enabled to perform its roles and functions chiefly by Instrument SSS No.1 of 1999 made pursuant to Section 6 of the National Security Agencies (NSA) Act 1986 Cap. 74, LFN 2004. It is worthy to note that over the years, other decrees (Decree No. 16 of 1976 and Decree 19 of 1986) charged the Agency with roles and functions that are very similar in content. These include but not limited to the following;
- Prevention and Detection of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria;
- Protection and Preservation of all non-military classified matters concerning the internal security of Nigeria;
- Prevention, Detection and Investigation of threats of Espionage, Subversion, Sabotage, Terrorism, Separatist agitations, Inter-group conflicts, Economic crimes of National security dimension and threats to law and order;
- Provision of protective security for designated principal Government functionaries, sensitive installations and visiting dignitaries;
- Provision of timely advice to Government on all matters of National security interest and
- Such other functions as may, from time to time, be assigned to it.
