The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) has announced that the Department of State Services (DSS) has finally taken the name of executive director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, off its watchlist—almost four decades after it was first placed there.

IPI Nigeria president Musikilu Mojeed made the announcement on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the third edition of the Nigerian Media Leaders’ summit organised by Journalism Clinic, founded by journalist Taiwo Obe.

The summit had media owners and top editors in attendance.

Mojeed revealed that the director-general of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, communicated the development to IPI Nigeria during a recent engagement.

“For nearly four decades, Mr. Arogundade endured undue scrutiny, harassment, and repeated detentions at various points, most notably at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,” he said.

“This action by the DSS is long overdue, but we acknowledge it and commend the agency for finally doing the right thing.”

He explained that the DSS’s decision followed sustained pressure from IPI Nigeria after previous assurances failed to yield results.

The group had intensified its advocacy to ensure Arogundade’s name was cleared.

In a separate statement, IPI Nigeria’s legal adviser and chairman, advocacy committee, Tobi Soniyi, described the move by the DSS as a welcome development and applauded the agency for taking the step.

Arogundade, who was present at the summit, thanked IPI Nigeria for standing by him throughout the ordeal.

“I am deeply thankful to IPI Nigeria and to everyone who supported this long journey. This is not just a personal victory, but a testament to the power of principled advocacy,” he said.

Arogundade’s troubles with the state began during the military era when he served as president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) between 1984 and 1985.

His activism during that period led to his name being placed on the DSS watchlist, resulting in decades of harassment and repeated detentions at international airports.