President Bola Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.) as NDLEA Chairman and CEO.
The extension will see Marwa lead the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency until 2031, the presidency announced on Friday.
Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, confirmed the decision in an official statement.
Marwa first assumed office in January 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
During his tenure, he oversaw large-scale drug seizures, high-profile arrests, and nationwide anti-drug campaigns.
President Tinubu praised Marwa, 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.”
Furthermore, the president urged him, “not to relent in tracking the merchants of hard drugs, out to destroy our people, especially the young ones.”
According to the statement, Marwa has demonstrated discipline, competence, and measurable results.
Therefore, this continuity is expected to help the NDLEA maintain momentum.
Under his leadership, over 73,000 drug mules and barons have been arrested.
Moreover, more than 15 million kilogrammes of illicit substances were seized nationwide.
In addition, the agency expanded drug abuse prevention initiatives targeting young people across Nigeria.
Before joining the NDLEA, Marwa chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to 2020.
He also served as military governor of Lagos and Borno states.
Furthermore, his military career included roles such as Brigade Major of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Aide-de-Camp to then Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, and Defence Adviser at Nigeria’s UN Mission.
He holds postgraduate degrees from both the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University, highlighting his blend of academic and operational expertise.
With the renewed five-year term, Marwa is expected to deepen reforms and strengthen anti-drug enforcement strategies nationwide.
However, the reappointment is seen as a strategic move to maintain consistency in Nigeria’s fight against narcotics.
President Tinubu noted, “This continuity is strategic. Marwa has set a strong operational standard, and the fight against narcotics demands consistency.”
The Marwa NDLEA reappointment is widely regarded as an unexpected but decisive step in sustaining Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts.
