Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a pioneering programme to transition illegal cannabis cultivation into lawful agricultural production, officials confirmed this week, signalling a shift from purely enforcement-based tactics to development-focused solutions in Nigeria’s fight against illicit drug farming.
The NDLEA’s alternative development strategy, described by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), aims to replace cannabis farming with sustainable, lawful crops and improve economic opportunities for rural communities historically engaged in illicit cultivation. The programme was formally introduced at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday and follows the **launch of a pilot project in three cannabis-producing communities in **Ondo State — Ilu Abo, Ifon and Eleyewo.
“This initiative goes far beyond crop substitution,” Marwa told journalists, emphasising that the approach is intended to strengthen rural economies, promote food security, support agricultural diversification, and reduce pressure on law enforcement and the justice system. It also aims to foster peace and social cohesion in areas previously linked to drug-related crime.
Under the pilot alternative development programme, cannabis growers in participating communities are being encouraged to switch to licit crops that can generate legitimate income, with the initiative designed to help deliver both food production and economic stability. The NDLEA leader described cannabis cultivation as well entrenched in some rural areas and argued that offering viable alternatives will better address the root causes of illicit drug farming than enforcement alone.
The project represents one of the first initiatives of its kind in Africa focused on community-centred agricultural transformation in the context of drug control. Marwa appealed for a strong national response and sustained support from all stakeholders — including federal and state governments, traditional leaders, development partners, private sector actors and civil society — to ensure widespread adoption and long-term impact.
NDLEA’s alternative development programme aligns with broader efforts to integrate rural development and security objectives by promoting lawful livelihood opportunities in regions affected by illicit drug farming. Officials have highlighted that cannabis remains the most widely used and cultivated illicit drug in Nigeria, and the new strategy seeks to reduce cultivation while empowering farmers with legal, productive alternatives.
While the initiative is in its early phases, authorities are optimistic that community engagement and economic incentives will encourage cannabis growers to embrace legal agriculture, strengthen rural economies and support ongoing national drug control efforts. The programme also seeks to enhance Nigeria’s standing in global drug control and development cooperation, reinforcing the NDLEA’s commitment to holistic and sustainable solutions in tackling illicit cultivation.
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