In a strategic move to maintain continuity in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking and abuse, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reappointed Brigadier-General (retd.) Mohammed Buba Marwa as the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for a fresh five-year term. The decision, which was officially communicated through the office of the President, underscores the administration’s confidence in Marwa’s leadership and achievements since he first assumed the position in January 2021.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Marwa’s renewed appointment takes effect immediately and will run until 2031. The President described the reappointment as “a vote of confidence” in Marwa’s leadership, stressing the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures in the fight against the proliferation of illicit drugs across the country.
Marwa, a retired Brigadier-General with an extensive background in both military and civil administration, first rose to national prominence as the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to 2020. His tenure at the NDLEA has been marked by a series of significant interventions aimed at curbing drug-related crimes and raising public awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
During his first term, the NDLEA under Marwa’s leadership reported the arrest of over 73,000 drug traffickers and mules. The agency also seized more than 15 million kilograms of illegal substances nationwide, a record that highlights the intensity and effectiveness of its operations. Additionally, Marwa prioritized nationwide education and prevention campaigns, focusing particularly on vulnerable groups such as youths and students, who are often targeted by drug cartels.
The Chairman’s military background has been instrumental in shaping his disciplined approach to leadership at the NDLEA. Born in Adamawa State, Marwa previously served as the military governor of Lagos and Borno States. He is an alumnus of the Nigerian Military School and the Nigerian Defence Academy and holds two master’s degrees: one in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and another in Public Administration from Harvard University. His career also includes key positions such as Brigade Major of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Army Staff, and Defence Adviser to Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
President Tinubu, while announcing the reappointment, emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking is far from over. “The menace of illicit drugs poses a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of our young people, and it is imperative that the NDLEA continues to operate with diligence, integrity, and efficiency,” he said. The President called on Marwa to leverage his experience and institutional knowledge to strengthen ongoing anti-drug initiatives and enhance coordination with both domestic and international agencies.
Analysts have noted that the reappointment is also a strategic move to ensure continuity in policy implementation. Leadership stability at the NDLEA is seen as crucial to maintaining the gains of past operations while simultaneously addressing emerging challenges in drug trafficking and abuse. With Marwa at the helm, the agency is expected to deepen intelligence-led operations, expand regional cooperation, and implement more robust demand-reduction programmes to curb drug consumption.
Despite the successes recorded in the past five years, experts caution that the scale of Nigeria’s drug problem remains vast. Traffickers continue to exploit porous borders and weak regulatory structures, while the rise of synthetic drugs presents new challenges. Civil society groups have also stressed the importance of addressing the socio-economic factors that drive drug abuse, including unemployment, poverty, and lack of education.
With his reappointment, Mohammed Buba Marwa is poised to steer the NDLEA through a critical period in Nigeria’s drug control efforts. His renewed mandate is not only a personal endorsement but also a signal of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to combating drug-related crimes and protecting the nation’s youth from the scourge of substance abuse. As the agency embarks on this next chapter, the eyes of the nation and the international community will be on Marwa and the NDLEA to sustain and build upon the progress achieved over the past five years.
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