With his five-year term as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) set to expire in January, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.) is reportedly lobbying for a renewal amid growing competition from at least five contenders, per Punch Newspaper

The succession race, which includes retired military and police officers, security experts, and legal professionals, has sparked debate among stakeholders over the agency’s future leadership.

Marwa, 72, was appointed in January 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and previously served as Lagos State military administrator, handing over to then-Governor Bola Tinubu in 1999. Sources close to the presidency suggest Marwa is leveraging that longstanding relationship in his bid for a second term, including a reported visit to the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

However, opposition to his extension is mounting. Critics argue that NDLEA, one of the few justice sector agencies yet to undergo restructuring under President Tinubu’s reform agenda, requires fresh leadership with a law enforcement background. “His tenure’s frequency is too high; Tinubu wants reform, and NDLEA needs a law enforcement head,” a senior security source told The PUNCH.

Concerns have also been raised over operational inefficiencies. Between 2021 and 2024, NDLEA recorded 31,675 arrests but secured only 5,147 convictions. Internal sources describe Marwa as a “lone ranger,” citing bureaucratic bottlenecks and promotion delays as obstacles to effective drug enforcement.

Nonetheless, supporters point to his achievements, including the seizure of over 6,000 tonnes of illicit substances and commendations from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

While the identities of Marwa’s potential successors remain undisclosed, the contest reflects broader efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s justice ecosystem, which includes reforms in prison administration, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and legal aid services.

Neither Marwa nor the presidency has issued an official statement regarding the succession process.