NDLEA Launches Crop Substitution Scheme to Replace Illicit Cannabis Farming with Sustainable Livelihoods
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), has said Nigeria’s newly introduced Alternative Development Project is aimed at ending the long-standing conflict between law enforcement agencies and illicit drug producers by offering sustainable and lawful means of livelihood to affected communities.
Marwa stated this on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at a town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, held to formally launch the Alternative Development Pilot Project in Nigeria. The event drew participation from national stakeholders and international partners, both physically and virtually.
Among those present were Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa; senior state government officials; the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Cheikh Toure; Head of Project at the Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development, Berlin, Ms. Sarah David; Global Coordinator, Alternative Development/Sustainable Livelihoods at UNODC Vienna, Mr. Thierry Rostan; Dr. Tahirou Abdoulaye of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); and a representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
In his keynote address, Marwa acknowledged that illicit drug cultivation remains a major national challenge but noted that it also presents an opportunity for collaborative and lasting solutions.
“This town hall meeting is designed for us to rub minds, work together, and agree on a friendly, community-centred approach to tackling the challenges of illicit drugs and related environmental crimes. We are not here to talk at you; we are here to talk with you,” he said.
He stressed the need for sustainable commitments that would enable communities to permanently exit illicit drug cultivation, while recalling the broader security implications of drug abuse and trafficking.
“We know the nexus between drug use, trafficking and criminality—banditry, terrorism and insurgency. Drugs are used to fuel these crimes and also serve as a source of funding,” Marwa noted.
According to him, the Alternative Development Project is designed to establish viable alternatives to illicit cropping, promote food security, and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are here to build a robust community network to support this project, establish sustainable livelihoods, ensure inclusivity, and guarantee long-term ownership by the people. This initiative belongs to the communities,” he said.
Marwa explained that the project prioritises engagement rather than enforcement, stressing that participation is voluntary and targeted at communities genuinely willing to abandon cannabis cultivation and adopt lawful crops.
“There are licit crops with higher economic value than cannabis, such as Artemisia annua, which is useful in malaria treatment and other ailments,” he added.
He described Alternative Development as empowerment-driven, noting that illicit drug profits rarely benefit cultivating communities.
“While kingpins prosper elsewhere, these communities are often left with poverty, insecurity and degraded farmlands. Our focus is crop substitution that leads to food and cash crop production,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA boss assured participants that the initiative would not be used as a ploy to arrest or detain anyone, calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, women associations, and community stakeholders to support the programme from within.
“To cooperating communities, we are no longer enemies. We are partners in progress. Together, we can build drug-free, prosperous and healthy communities,” he said, adding that the Ondo pilot would begin with three communities before nationwide expansion.
In his remarks, Governor Ayedatiwa welcomed the initiative and commended the NDLEA for choosing Ondo State for the pilot phase, pledging the state government’s full support.
“I assure the NDLEA of our continued cooperation in stemming drug abuse in Ondo State and Nigeria. We will strengthen collaboration with traditional institutions, religious bodies, civil society and the private sector to promote prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration,” the governor said.
He urged youths to reject drug abuse and embrace the alternative livelihoods being offered, disclosing that the state government is ready to allocate land, clear farmlands, and provide seeds and seedlings to support the project.
“As youths, you have a great future ahead. Say no to drugs and embrace hard work, innovation and entrepreneurship,” Ayedatiwa added.
Speaking on behalf of traditional institutions, the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, expressed strong support for the initiative.
He commended Marwa for transforming the NDLEA into a results-oriented agency and urged youths to take advantage of the programme.
“There is no alternative to lawful opportunities. We know the consequences of cannabis cultivation. I assure the NDLEA of our full support and partnership in making this initiative succeed,” the monarch said.
The Alternative Development Pilot Project marks a shift toward community-driven solutions aimed at curbing illicit drug cultivation while promoting economic empowerment and food security across Nigeria.
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