The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has pledged full support to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in creating sustainable alternatives for illicit drug producers and providing livelihood opportunities for rehabilitated drug users, as part of efforts to strengthen both food and national security.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, gave the assurance during a meeting with NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and his management team in Abuja.
Marwa told the minister that “the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu recognises food and national security as interlinked priorities, stressing that “drug control is inseparable from national security.” He noted that 10.6 million of Nigeria’s 14.3 million drug users consume cannabis, making it the country’s most abused substance.
According to him, NDLEA has launched an Alternative Development initiative aimed at persuading cannabis farmers to switch to legal, profitable crops. “We want to provide them with a legitimate income source—free from the fear of arrest—while improving their lives and communities,” Marwa explained. He added that the initiative has secured backing from the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, but would require agricultural inputs, seedlings, tractors, water, fertilisers, and chemicals from the ministry to succeed.
Marwa proposed introducing cannabis growers to high-value pharmaceutical crops such as Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), used in malaria treatment, which could potentially earn Nigeria $100 billion annually if fully developed.
The NDLEA chief also sought the ministry’s collaboration in integrating rehabilitated drug users into agricultural programmes to prevent relapse. “If they return to the same environment without productive engagement, the risk of relapse is high,” he warned.
In his response, Senator Kyari acknowledged the direct link between drug abuse and crime, warning that inaction could produce “a generation of criminals instead of leaders.” He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the alternative development plan and to supporting NDLEA’s rehabilitation programmes.
“This aligns with President Tinubu’s mandate to achieve food security, create jobs, improve livelihoods, and ensure inclusivity for youth and women in agriculture,” Kyari said. “We will work with you to ensure those completing rehabilitation receive the tools and resources to start productive agricultural ventures.”
The meeting ended with an agreement to set up a technical committee to outline the framework for collaboration.
