President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed the appointment of Brigadier-General (retd) Mohammed Buba Marwa as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for another five-year term.
The announcement was made on Friday, November 14, 2025, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu commended Marwa’s commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking, describing his reappointment as a “vote of confidence” in his achievements and urging him to intensify the crackdown on hard drug networks across the country.
Marwa was first appointed NDLEA chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021. Before then, he led the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse between 2018 and 2020.
With this new term, the Adamawa-born former military officer is set to head the NDLEA until 2031.
Early Life and Background
Buba Marwa was born on September 9, 1953, into a military family. His father, Buba Marwa, and grandfather, Buba Yola, both served in the Nigerian Army.
He attended primary schools in Enugu, Zaria, Abeokuta and Lagos (1960–65) before enrolling in the Nigerian Military School, Zaria (1966–70).
He later joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), completing the regular combatant course and receiving his commission into the Nigerian Army Recce Corps in June 1973.
Throughout his military career, he held several important roles, including Brigade Major of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Army Staff, and Academic Registrar of the NDA.
He also served internationally as Deputy Defence Adviser at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, and later as Defence Adviser to Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
Marwa holds two postgraduate degrees: a Master’s in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh (1983–1985), and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University (1985–1986).
Military Governor of Borno State (1990–1992)
Marwa became Military Governor of Borno State under General Ibrahim Babangida.
His leadership focused on development, especially in underserved areas.
Key achievements included:
Expansion of road networks and rural access routes
Improved primary healthcare delivery
Enhanced school infrastructure and learning environments
Support for agricultural initiatives and rural farmers
His performance in Borno earned him a reputation as a disciplined, development-focused administrator
Military Governor of Lagos State (1996–1999)
Marwa’s tenure in Lagos is widely regarded as transformational. Appointed during the Abacha era, he introduced reforms that reshaped Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Notable achievements include:
Operation Sweep
A joint military-police task force that drastically reduced crime levels and restored public confidence in security operations during a period of rising criminal activity.
Transportation Reforms
He expanded the Lagos Mass Transit system and introduced measures to ease congestion and improve movement within the state.
Environmental Sanitation
Marwa implemented structured waste management reforms, increased refuse evacuation schedules, and reorganised markets and parks to improve hygiene across Lagos.
Housing and Urban Development
He launched low-cost housing projects, renovated public structures, and strengthened urban planning controls.
Education and Healthcare
His administration renovated several public schools and improved hospitals and primary health facilities.
NDLEA Leadership and Anti-Drug War
Since assuming leadership at the NDLEA in 2021, Marwa has spearheaded aggressive operations against drug barons and traffickers.
His tenure has seen the arrest of over 73,000 drug offenders, including couriers, cartel members, and high-profile traffickers.
Family and Personal Life
Marwa’s family life mirrors his dedication to public service.
His wife, Hajiya Munira Marwa, is active in social advocacy and has championed initiatives such as mandatory premarital drug testing to promote healthier marriages and communities.
Marwa’s late first wife, Zainab Marwa, from Imo State, passed away in January 2022. She was widely known for championing women’s empowerment and the education of the girl-child. She is survived by four children: Abubakar, Mohamed, Mariam, and Zainab.
Marwa is a devoted father and grandfather. His children are accomplished in their various fields, and his daughter, Zainab Marwa, has publicly praised his dedication to national reform and the NDLEA’s war against drug trafficking.
