The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reappointing Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), describing the decision as a major boost to Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.
NCWS National President, Princess Edna Azura, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Marwa at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. She said the renewed five-year mandate is a national vote of confidence in Marwa’s transformative leadership and a reinforcement of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
According to her, Marwa’s tenure has delivered unprecedented operational successes—from dismantling sophisticated drug networks to intercepting record volumes of illicit substances, intensifying community-driven prevention programmes, and expanding treatment pathways for victims of substance abuse.
“These achievements,” she noted, “represent hope for millions of families, especially women and children who often bear the brunt of drug-related challenges.”
Princess Azura called for deeper collaboration between the NDLEA and NCWS in sensitisation drives across schools, markets and communities, as well as in training women leaders in drug prevention, treatment and care.
“Women, mothers, teachers and caregivers are central to prevention. When women are fully engaged, drug abuse prevention becomes more effective,” she said.
She listed several areas in which the Council seek partnership, including training NCWS officers as community anti-drug ambassadors, joint advocacy targeting mothers and caregivers, and enhancing rehabilitation and reintegration support for women and youths affected by drug abuse.
Responding, Gen. Marwa thanked the NCWS for its commendation and reaffirmed the Agency’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the women’s organisation, describing it as a critical national stakeholder.
“With about 15 million Nigerians currently using drugs, the scale of the challenge demands a whole-of-society response,” he said.
“NCWS is one of our most important partners because you are the mothers guiding families across the country.”
He announced that the NDLEA will organise specialised Drug Use Prevention, Treatment and Care (DPTC) training for NCWS leaders in 2026 to strengthen their capacity to support the national campaign at community level.
Marwa also urged the group to support the ongoing push for drug integrity tests for intending couples, noting that early detection and intervention can help safeguard young people and households from substance abuse.
