The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has strengthened its campaign against illicit cannabis cultivation by advancing an alternative development programme designed to help rural communities transition from illegal farming to lawful, sustainable agricultural practices.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), called for wide-ranging national support for the initiative, describing it as a groundbreaking model on the African continent.
Marwa explained that the pilot phase of the programme, launched last week in Ilu Abo, Ifon and Eleyewo in Ondo State, targets communities with a history of cannabis cultivation.
He stressed that the new strategy is aimed at addressing the economic and social factors that drive illegal farming.
According to him, the initiative is designed to strengthen rural economies, expand agricultural value chains, improve food production, enhance community stability and reduce pressure on law enforcement.
He stated, “This concept is far more comprehensive than simply replacing one crop with another. It strengthens rural economies through value-chain development, eases the burden on the justice system, enhances peace and stability in crime-prone communities, and broadens agricultural opportunities across the country.”
Marwa added that the successful launch of the programme in the Ondo pilot communities demonstrates that sustainable, community-centred approaches can reduce illicit cultivation.
“The early results from Ilu Abo, Ifon and Eleyewo clearly show that alternative development works when communities are genuinely engaged, supported and empowered,” he said.
He urged political leaders, traditional rulers, development partners and private-sector stakeholders to support the effort, saying, “We need a strong national response. This programme is a collective responsibility that requires backing from every sector.”
Marwa emphasised that the initiative is designed to uplift communities, not punish them.
“Let me be clear: this is not just a drug control effort; it is a people-focused development model aimed at strengthening national security and securing our future,” he said.
The NDLEA chief warned that enforcement alone cannot tackle the scale of cannabis cultivation and use in the country. He revealed that more than 75 per cent of the 15 million kilograms of illegal drugs seized by the agency in the last five years were cannabis.
He noted, “Cannabis is not a fringe issue. It is the most widely used illicit drug in Nigeria, with over 10.6 million adults reportedly using it in the past year. The health and social consequences are enormous and long-term.”
Marwa added that sustained reliance on law enforcement without addressing economic drivers would be insufficient to curb the trend.
He said the alternative development programme gives farmers a lawful and stable source of income, which can help break ties with criminal networks that profit from illicit cultivation.
Discussing the reaction of communities involved in the pilot scheme, Marwa said local leaders had embraced the programme with enthusiasm, describing it as a realistic pathway to improved livelihoods and greater community security.
He noted that the decision to adopt the strategy followed years of confronting widespread cannabis farms across the country and data showing that the drug remains the most cultivated and widely used illicit substance in Nigeria.
