With just two months left in his tenure, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Buba Marwa faces growing uncertainty over his future as several contenders have reportedly joined the race to succeed him.
Marwa, who turned 72 this year, was appointed on January 17, 2021, by former President Muhammadu Buhari. However, as his five-year term draws to a close, speculation is mounting over whether President Bola Tinubu will renew his appointment or name a new head for the anti-narcotics agency.
Sources within the security establishment revealed that Marwa has intensified lobbying efforts for a second term. His recent visit to the Presidential Villa was said to be part of ongoing consultations aimed at securing reappointment.
A top security official told The PUNCH that while Marwa has made notable strides in the NDLEA’s war against drug trafficking, divisions persist among stakeholders. “His tenure ends in about two months, and there is no consensus yet. Some believe he deserves another term, while others are pushing for a replacement,” the source said.
Opponents of Marwa’s continuation have reportedly recommended him for an ambassadorial posting instead, citing three main concerns his age, Tinubu’s ongoing institutional reforms, and the preference for a fresh, active-duty or recently retired law enforcement professional to lead the agency.
According to government insiders, discussions around the NDLEA leadership are tied to broader justice sector reforms spearheaded by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
“Among all justice-related institutions, only the NDLEA hasn’t undergone restructuring. The goal is to strengthen accountability, rule of law, and human rights protection,” a senior official explained.
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Another insider described the NDLEA as needing “surgical reforms,” citing alleged bureaucratic bottlenecks, inconsistent promotions, and low prosecution rates despite high arrest numbers. “In spite of Marwa’s above-average performance, he’s been seen as a lone ranger. The system is choking the fight against drugs,” the source said.
Under Marwa’s leadership, the NDLEA reportedly arrested over 31,675 drug offenders, but only 5,147 were successfully prosecuted and convicted a rate some officials consider low relative to the number of arrests.
Nonetheless, Marwa’s administration has recorded major operational successes, including the seizure of over 6,000 tonnes of illicit substances, the destruction of hundreds of cannabis farms, and landmark operations such as the 1.8-tonne cocaine bust in Ikorodu, Lagos, in 2022 one of Nigeria’s largest drug seizures to date.
The agency’s heightened activity also earned Nigeria recognition from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its improved enforcement and intelligence capacity.
A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, told The PUNCH that while NDLEA’s enforcement efforts are commendable, more attention should be given to dismantling drug production and distribution networks.
“We must target the barons, not just the street vendors. To truly curb drug trafficking, we need to disrupt the supply chain from cultivation to distribution,” he said.
He also advocated for a youth-focused anti-drug campaign, Operation Catch Them Young, to tackle rising substance abuse among Nigerian youths.
Marwa, who served as Military Administrator of Lagos State, reportedly hopes his long-standing relationship with President Tinubu to whom he handed over power as Lagos governor in 1999 could strengthen his reappointment bid.
“Marwa considers himself a Lagosian and believes his history with Tinubu might work in his favour,” a government source disclosed.
However, with the Tinubu administration pushing for institutional renewal and generational leadership across security agencies, Marwa’s reappointment remains uncertain.
As one insider put it, “The President wants reforms that outlast individuals. Whether Marwa stays or not will depend on how well he fits into that vision.”
