The president Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed the appointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for a second five-year term, extending his leadership until 2031.
The announcement was made via a State House press release shared by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Marwa was first appointed to head the anti-narcotics agency in January 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari and has since overseen nationwide crackdowns, major arrests, and seizures of illicit substances, with the NDLEA reporting the arrest of over 73,000 drug mules and barons, as well as the confiscation of more than 15 million kilograms of illegal drugs since his tenure began.
President Tinubu commended Marwa’s achievements in fighting drug trafficking and abuse, stating, “Your reappointment is a vote of confidence in your onerous efforts to rid our country of the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse. I urge you not to relent in tracking the merchants of hard drugs out to destroy our people, especially the young ones.”
Marwa’s reappointment comes after months of speculation and lobbying, with reports indicating that his longstanding relationship with President Tinubu—dating back to his handover of the Lagos governorship in 1999—contributed to the renewal of his leadership.
Under Marwa, the NDLEA has intensified campaigns against drug abuse, focusing both on arrests and public awareness. The presidency described the extension as an “unwavering vote of confidence” in his ability to continue making inroads against Nigeria’s drug problem. Marwa also brings strong academic credentials to the role, holding advanced degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University, alongside a record as military governor of Lagos and Borno States.
As Marwa’s new term begins, his reappointment is seen as a strategic move to maintain momentum in Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking and abuse. However, observers note that the extended tenure may provoke broader discussions on the need for evolving approaches within the NDLEA as the agency confronts ongoing and emerging challenges.
