Marwa seeks NASS support, defends N67.5b NDLEA budget

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), yesterday, expressed appreciation to the National Assembly, especially the Senate and House Committees on Narcotic Drugs, for their commitment to the nation’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. He also appealed for their continued support to enhance the capacity and capability of the Agency to deliver on its mandate.

Marwa made the appeal when he led his management team to defend the 2025 budget proposal of the Agency before the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs and the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, respectively. He equally thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unrelenting encouragement to the NDLEA.

In the budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, the agency was allocated Sixty-Seven Billion, Five Hundred and Twelve Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand, Sixty-Three Naira, Eighty Kobo (N67,512,564,063.80), with recurrent personnel costs taking N47,159,240,496.80; recurrent overhead N3,384,332,017.00; and capital expenditure N16,968,991,550.00.

Marwa explained that the recurrent personnel cost reflects the nominal roll of the agency’s staff strength totalling over 14,038 officers, men, and women, while the recurrent overhead cost covers the operational expenses of intelligence gathering, arrests, seizures, investigations, and prosecutions.

The NDLEA boss called for the enhancement of the N16 billion provided for capital expenditure, which has zero allocation for the ongoing barracks project component, to enable the agency to continue with the provision of secure accommodation for its workforce across the country.

Justifying his plea, Marwa said: “The agency faces growing challenges, including sophisticated drug cartels, drug abuse, and inadequate critical infrastructure. To address these issues, NDLEA has embarked on reforms, including constructing barracks to accommodate its personnel, improve operational integrity, and ensure security. Currently, many commands operate from rented facilities, which are inadequate for effective administration.

Proper accommodation will enhance staff morale, ensure security, and strengthen the agency’s capacity to execute its mandate.”
In his remarks, House Committee Chairman on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Abass Adigun, assured of their commitment to adequate funding to enhance NDLEA’s operational successes.

“This committee recognizes the critical role the NDLEA plays in safeguarding our communities from the scourge of narcotics and illicit substances. As we engage in today’s deliberations, we remain committed to ensuring that public funds are allocated efficiently, with a focus on measurable outcomes, transparency, and accountability. I urge all participants to contribute thoughtfully as we work together to ensure the NDLEA is well-resourced to fulfil its vital mandate in the new year,” the lawmaker stated.

Speaking in the same vein, Senate Committee Chairman on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, congratulated the agency for its outstanding performance in 2024.

“We’re all witnesses to the good work you are doing, and we are proud of your performance,” the committee chairman stated, assuring more support to enable the agency to function effectively in the new year.