The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has bestowed its prestigious Man of the Year 2025 award on the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Retired Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa.
Unprecedented Record in Nigeria's Drug War
In a statement released from Abuja on the 1st of January 2026, HURIWA declared that its decision was the result of a thorough assessment of public sector performance and impact. The association concluded that Marwa's tenure at the helm of the NDLEA represents one of the most significant and effective leadership periods in recent Nigerian history.
Since his appointment in January 2021, Marwa has spearheaded what HURIWA described as an era of unprecedented operational success. The agency's achievements under his command are staggering in scale.
The NDLEA has made over 73,000 arrests of drug traffickers and dealers, secured more than 12,000 convictions, and confiscated in excess of 15 million kilogrammes of various illicit drugs. This data underscores a relentless and highly productive campaign against narcotics.
A Model of Reform and Balanced Enforcement
HURIWA emphasized that Marwa's impact extends beyond mere arrests and seizures. The association praised him for successfully repositioning the NDLEA as a more balanced and people-focused institution.
A key part of this transformation has been the significant expansion of demand-reduction initiatives. This shift acknowledges that the fight against drugs requires not only punishing suppliers but also preventing addiction and rehabilitating users.
Exemplary Leadership for National Challenges
While conferring the award, HURIWA's National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated that General Marwa personifies the crucial mix of discipline, innovation, and public accountability needed to address complex national issues.
His leadership, the group added, has fundamentally transformed the anti-narcotics agency into one of Nigeria's most results-oriented law enforcement bodies. HURIWA presented Marwa's stewardship as a compelling and replicable model for broader public service reform in the country.
The Man of the Year 2025 recognition by a prominent human rights organization highlights a rare consensus on performance, celebrating a record defined by tangible results, institutional integrity, and far-reaching change in a critical sector of national security.
