By Emmanuel Kwada
In a significant development announced this morning, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reappointed Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as the 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, at 08:48 AM WAT today.
Marwa, a decorated former military officer from Adamawa State, first assumed the role in January 2021 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
His initial appointment followed his tenure as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to 2020.
With an illustrious military career that includes roles as military governor of Lagos and Borno States, Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, and Defence Adviser to Nigeria’s UN Mission, Marwa brings extensive experience to the NDLEA.
The reappointment comes amid notable achievements under Marwa’s leadership, including the arrest of 73,000 drug mules and barons and the seizure of over 15 million kilograms of illicit substances.
The agency has also intensified nationwide campaigns to combat drug abuse, earning praise from the presidency. President Tinubu lauded Marwa’s efforts, 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 academic credentials further bolster his profile, holding a Master of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh (1983–85) and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University (1985–86).
His reappointment follows months of speculation and lobbying, with reports indicating his long-standing relationship with President Tinubu—stemming from his handover of Lagos governorship in 1999—played a key role in securing the renewal.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some stakeholders, including supporters on social media, have hailed it as a “good thinking” move and expressed appreciation for Marwa’s leadership, others have called for fresh leadership at the NDLEA, citing concerns over conviction rates relative to arrests.
An insider recently noted that despite 31,675 drug offenders being arrested under Marwa, only 5,147 convictions have been secured, prompting debates about the agency’s efficiency.
As the news breaks, the reappointment is seen as a strategic move to maintain continuity in Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking, though it may intensify discussions on the need for new strategies within the agency.
