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.
Naija News reports that the NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), said the programme is designed to improve local economies, promote peace, and strengthen national security while giving farmers lawful ways to earn a living.
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.
He also encouraged communities affected by illegal drug cultivation to participate actively, adopt new farming methods, and work with the NDLEA to build legal and productive 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.
Early results show that farmers are willing to shift to legal crops, which can reduce poverty, improve food security, and create safer and more stable communities.
The NDLEA highlighted the scale of cannabis use and cultivation 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.
He also pointed out that cannabis accounted for more than 75 percent of the 15 million kilograms of drugs seized by the NDLEA over the past five years.
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 thanked international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and foundations from several countries, for backing the project.
Ondo State Governor Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, were also present to support the launch.
The NDLEA said it plans to expand the program nationwide, aiming to create safer, healthier, and more productive communities across Nigeria.
