NDLEA Rolls Out Groundbreaking People-Centered Program To Curb Cannabis Cultivation

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for nationwide support for a new program designed to reduce illegal cannabis cultivation while empowering communities to thrive.

NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), explained that the initiative aims to strengthen local economies, promote peace, enhance national security, and provide farmers with lawful sources of income.

Described as the first program of its kind in Africa, it launched last week with a pilot project in three cannabis-growing communities in Ondo State.

The initiative goes beyond simply replacing illicit crops with alternatives. It also focuses on building agricultural value chains, easing pressure on law enforcement and the justice system, boosting food production, and improving Nigeria’s standing in global drug control efforts.

Marwa urged government authorities at all levels, community leaders, traditional rulers, development partners, and civil society to actively support the program. He also encouraged residents of areas affected by illegal cultivation to adopt new farming methods and collaborate with the NDLEA to establish legal, sustainable livelihoods.

The pilot project has been warmly received by host communities, with local leaders welcoming it as a sign of hope and confidence in government intervention. Early results indicate farmers are ready to switch to legal crops, which could reduce poverty, improve food security, and foster safer, more stable communities.

Highlighting the scale of cannabis use and cultivation in Nigeria, the NDLEA cited the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, which found that 14.4% of Nigerians aged 15–64—about 14.3 million people—used at least one psychoactive substance in the past year, with cannabis being the most widely consumed. Field studies also identified nearly 8,900 hectares of land in high-risk Southwest regions dedicated to cannabis farming, often linked to organized networks supplying both local and international markets.

Marwa noted the social and public health risks posed by widespread cannabis use, especially among young people, including long-term health problems, addiction, crime, and pressure on healthcare systems. He added that cannabis accounted for more than 75% 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 program could reverse these trends if sustained support is provided. He confirmed that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and 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 their backing.

Ondo State Governor Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa and 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.