Why we’re offering sustainable livelihoods to illicit cannabis growers – Marwa

. Rallies national stakeholders, international partners on crop substitution at the launch of alternative development project in Ondo state

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) has explained that the introduction of Alternative Development Project in Nigeria will end age-long battle between law enforcement and illicit drug producers while also offering them sustainable livelihoods that will ensure food security in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Marwa disclosed this on Tuesday 27th January 2026 at a town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo state, to launch the Alternative Development Pilot Project in Nigeria. The event attracted physical and virtual presence of national stakeholders and international partners including the Ondo state governor, Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, other senior officials of his government; Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Mr. Cheikh Toure; Head of Project, Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development, Berlin, Germany, Ms. Sarah David; Global Coordinator, Alternative Development/Sustainable Livelihoods, UNODC Vienna, Austria, Mr. Thierry Rostan; Dr. Tahirou Abdoulaye of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; representative of the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari among others.
In his keynote remarks at the event, Marwa noted that though the challenge of illicit drug cultivation is a significant crisis, he however said he believes that within every challenge lies a unique opportunity to unite and find a lasting solution. “This town hall meeting is designed for us to rub minds, work together, and agree on a friendly, community-centered approach to tackle the challenges of illicit drugs and related environmental crimes. We are not here to talk at you. We are here to talk with you. From this engagement, we look forward to sustainable commitments that will lead to a permanent exit from the world of illicit drugs.”
While reminding the gathering about the huge challenge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking Nigeria faces as well as the impact of that on security, he said “we know the nexus between drug use, trafficking and criminalities, Boko Haram, banditry, terrorism etc. They use drugs before carrying out their nefarious activities and sell drugs to raise funds.”
Without mincing words, he told the audience that “we are here to build a robust community network to support the Alternative Development project; to locate and establish alternatives to illicit cropping; we want to establish with your cooperation, structures for sustainable livelihoods, ensuring a smooth transition from illicit cropping to food security; in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. We will promote inclusivity, by ensuring that illicit croppers, vulnerable individuals, and all community stakeholders are active participants in this implementation; we want to ensure project ownership, because this initiative belongs to you, the people, as well as ensuring its long-term sustainability.”
The NDLEA boss said the project provides the opportunity of an engagement between the NDLEA and communities involved in illicit cropping adding that the offer is only to communities that are willing and sincere to move away from illicit cultivation of crops like cannabis and adopt cultivation of licit crops. “There is a wide range of licit cash and food crops such as Artemisia Annua which has a higher financial value than cannabis, in addition to other beneficial properties in the cure of malaria, and other ailments”, he added.
He explained that Alternative Development (AD) is about empowerment as an alternative to enforcement. “We want to facilitate a total shift from illicit cropping to massive food and cash crop production. We must face the hard truth: illicit drugs generate large financial profits, but this wealth rarely reflects in the communities where these drugs are grown. While the kingpins prosper elsewhere, the cultivating communities are often left with poverty, soil degradation, and insecurity. Our primary focus therefore is the Crop Substitution Programme.”
While assuring that Alternative Development will not be used as a deceptive tool to arrest or detain anyone, he said “I call on the entire cultivating communities: our royal fathers, religious leaders, community leaders, market men and women, teachers, our vibrant youth and women groups and indeed all stakeholders to support this initiative. We need you to form community groups to fight illicit cropping and trafficking from within.”
“To the cooperating communities, from today, we are no longer “enemies” as you might have once perceived us. We are friends. We are partners in progress. Let us sustain this friendship by working hand-in-hand to build drug-free, prosperous, and healthy communities in Ondo State. So, we are here to discuss how to make the Alternative Development Initiative work. Our plan is for this to spread throughout Nigeria. But today we are launching the pilot project in Ondo State with three pioneering communities. We will then make an assessment and thereafter make recommendations to the Federal Government”, the NDLEA boss stated.
In his own remarks, Governor Ayedatiwa said the project is a welcome development and expressed appreciation to Marwa for starting the pilot scheme in Ondo state while declaring full support for the initiative.
“I therefore wish to use this opportunity to assure the NDLEA of the continued support and cooperation of Ondo State government under my leadership towards stemming the tide of drug abuse here in Ondo State and in Nigeria at large. We will continue to strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders like yours, just as you have mentioned that it is time to dialogue, to collaborate. Traditional institutions, religious bodies that are ably represented here, civil society organizations, I could see some of the leaders, community leaders, and the private sector to expand awareness, promote prevention, and support rehabilitation and reintegration effort for affected individuals”, the governor said.
He charged the youth to eschew drug abuse and embrace the alternative approach being presented by NDLEA. “For us, we are ready to allocate land, and do clearing, provide seed and seedlings to support this initiative. As the pillar of growth and development in the society, we shall continue to promote your interest as youth and champion your welfare. This is already evident in our various policies and programmes. As youth, you have a great future ahead of you, and for you to fulfill your potential and attain your desired goal, you must say no to drugs. You must avail yourselves of the various intervention programmes of government at all levels and embrace hard work, innovation, entrepreneurship, and become ambassadors of positive change in our community”, he added.
Speaking on behalf of traditional institutions in the state, the Chairman of the Ondo state traditional rulers council and Olowo of Owo kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye 111 expressed support for the initiative. He commended the NDLEA boss for transforming the Agency into a result-oriented organization.
“We urge our youths to key into this programme. There’s no alternative to it, because we know the consequences of cannabis cultivation and all other drugs. It is better to have opportunities that are legally available in the land. Let me assure the NDLEA of our support, of our partnership in this option that is available”, the royal father stated

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Tuesday 27th January 2026