A Texas-based security research and strategy organisation in the United States has honoured the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), as Security Leader of the Year 2025 for his outstanding strides in operational success, integrity, institutional reform, and sustained public confidence.
In a statement published on the organisation’s website on Thursday, December 25, 2025, Ogun Security Research and Strategic Consulting LLC (OSRS) said its decision followed an independent, AI-assisted, and evidence-based assessment. The assessment found that “Nigeria’s security landscape in 2025 demanded more than force” but rather “leadership that could deliver results while earning public trust, protecting rights, and strengthening institutions.”
The organisation stated: “In a year marked by terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, and public skepticism toward state power, one security leader stood out. Marwa emerged as the clear choice and what his leadership reveals about the future of security governance in Nigeria.”
Explaining its choice, OSRS noted: “OSRS set out to answer a simple but critical question. In a difficult year for national security, who demonstrated leadership that balanced effectiveness with responsibility? Rather than counting arrests alone, OSRS evaluated leadership using four pillars: Operational effectiveness and measurable national impact; Respect for human rights and the rule of law; Employee welfare, morale, and internal discipline; and Public perception, trust, and institutional credibility.
“Artificial intelligence was used to analyze open source reports, performance data, and verified records. Human experts reviewed and validated every output. This approach reduced bias while preserving professional judgment. Across all indicators, one leader consistently ranked highest.”
According to OSRS statement, under Marwa’s leadership, the NDLEA achieved historic outcomes in 2025. The agency dismantled international drug trafficking networks, intercepted record quantities of illicit substances, and disrupted criminal supply chains that fund terrorism, banditry, and organised violence.
“These were not isolated seizures. They were intelligence-driven operations executed through cooperation with international partners and supported by strong internal controls. By targeting the financial and logistical backbone of crime, the NDLEA delivered national security impact beyond traditional law enforcement.
“Results alone do not sustain institutions. Marwa’s leadership distinguished itself through reform and discipline. The NDLEA avoided major corruption scandals in a sector often plagued by them. Officers were promoted, rewarded for performance, and provided clearer career pathways.
“The introduction of body worn cameras and accountability mechanisms strengthened operational transparency. Employee welfare was treated as a security issue, not an administrative afterthought. This focus improved morale, professionalism, and operational consistency across the agency.”
Commenting on public trust and ethical leadership, the organisation, led by renowned global security expert, Dr. Oludare Ogunlana remarked: “In 2025, the NDLEA emerged as one of the few security institutions widely viewed as functional, credible, and disciplined. Marwa’s leadership style emphasized professionalism over intimidation and accountability over impunity. The agency’s actions aligned with legal standards and avoided the human rights controversies that undermined confidence in other institutions. Trust was earned through consistency, not rhetoric.”
On what Marwa’s selection signals for Nigeria’s security future, the body stressed: “OSRS’s decision reflects a broader shift in how security leadership is judged. First, effective security now requires institutional integrity, not just force. Second, staff welfare and discipline directly influence national outcomes.
“Third, intelligence-led operations outperform reactive enforcement. Marwa’s leadership offers a practical model for reform across Nigeria’s security architecture.”
The statement added: “Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa’s selection as the OSRS Security Leader of the Year 2025 is not about personality. It is about proof. In a year of pressure and uncertainty, his leadership showed that results, reform, and trust can coexist. Recognition is not the end of service. It is a reminder of responsibility.”
