President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), extending his leadership for another five years.

The announcement was made on Friday through a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu Praises Marwa’s Anti-Drug Fight

President Tinubu commended Marwa for his strong commitment to tackling drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.

The President said:

“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.”

This renewal means Marwa will remain at the helm of the NDLEA until 2031.

Marwa’s Background and Career Achievements

Marwa was first appointed as NDLEA Chairman in January 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Before that, he chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to 2020.

A seasoned military officer and administrator, Marwa has an impressive profile:

Former Military Governor of Lagos and Borno States

Graduate of the Nigerian Military School and Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1973

Served as Brigade Major, Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Army Staff, and Academic Registrar at NDA

Former Deputy Defence Adviser at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Later served as Defence Adviser to Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN

He also holds two postgraduate degrees:

Master of Public & International Affairs – University of Pittsburgh

Master of Public Administration – Harvard University

His Impact at the NDLEA

Since taking charge of the NDLEA, Marwa has led several high-impact operations that have strengthened the fight against drugs in Nigeria. Under his leadership:

Over 73,000 drug traffickers and barons have been arrested

More than 15 million kilogrammes of hard drugs have been seized

Nationwide campaigns against drug abuse have intensified

His reappointment reflects the government’s confidence in his strategy and ongoing reforms aimed at curbing the drug crisis in the country.