A former director-general of the State Security Service, Afakirya A. Gadzama has been appointed as the chairman of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS).

His new appointment was conveyed in a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation dated January 2, 2020.

The appointment was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari with effect from December 16, 2019 for an initial term of four years in line with Section 4 of the National Institute for Security Studies (Establishment Act), 2019.

The letter, with reference SGF.2/S.9/C.3/10, was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

Gadzama started his career in the National Security Organisation as a Principal Officer in 1984 and rose through the ranks of the NSO and the subsequent State Security Service, which was created out of the NSO when it was dissolved.

His postings at the State Security Service include director of Security, Plateau State (1989–1991), director of Security, Federal Capital Territory (1991–1993), director of Security, Kaduna (1993–1997), director of Operations, SSS National Headquarters (1997–1998) director of Programmes, SSS National Headquarters 1999, director of Intelligence (2001–2002), director of Operations (2002–2003), Director of Administration and Logistics, National Headquarters (2004–2005), director of Corporate Services, National Headquarters (2006–2007) and director general, SSS (2007-2010)