The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for a nationwide effort to support a new initiative aimed at reducing illegal cannabis farming and helping communities grow stronger.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Chairman and CEO of the NDLEA, was quoted as saying that the program’s goals are to give farmers legal means of subsistence while also enhancing local economies, fostering peace, and bolstering national security.
The initiative, described as the first of its kind in Africa, began with a pilot project in three cannabis-growing communities in Ondo State last week.
The programme goes beyond simply replacing illegal crops with alternatives.
It also seeks to build agricultural value chains, reduce pressure on law enforcement and the justice system, improve food production, and improve Nigeria’s reputation in global drug control efforts.
Marwa urged all levels of government, community leaders, traditional rulers, development partners, and civil society to support the program.
Additionally, he urged communities impacted by illicit drug cultivation to get involved, embrace new farming practices, and collaborate with the NDLEA to establish productive and lawful livelihoods.
The pilot project received strong support from the host communities, where local leaders welcomed the program as a source of hope and confidence in government.
Farmers are willing to switch to legal crops, which can lower poverty, increase food security, and build safer, more stable communities, according to preliminary findings.
The NDLEA emphasized the extent of cannabis growing and consumption in Nigeria.
Data from the 2018 National Drug Use Survey showed that 14.4 percent of Nigerians aged 15–64, roughly 14.3 million people, reported using at least one psychoactive substance in the past year, with cannabis being the most widely used.
Field studies also revealed nearly 8,900 hectares of land dedicated to cannabis farming in high-risk areas of the Southwest, often linked to organized networks supplying domestic and international markets.
Marwa noted the social and public health challenges posed by widespread cannabis use, particularly among youth, including long-term health issues, increased dependency, crime, and strain on healthcare systems.
Additionally, he noted that within the last five years, the NDLEA has confiscated 15 million kg of drugs, of which more than 75 percent were cannabis.
The NDLEA boss expressed confidence that the alternative development programme could reverse the trend if it receives consistent support.
He confirmed that the initiative is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Marwa also expressed gratitude to international partners that supported the project, such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and foundations from various nations.
The launch was also supported by Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, and Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, Governor of Ondo State.
The NDLEA said it plans to expand the program nationwide, aiming to create safer, healthier, and more productive communities across Nigeria.
