The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has pledged to support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in providing alternative livelihoods for illicit drug producers and creating agricultural opportunities for rehabilitated drug users to prevent relapse.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, gave the assurance during a meeting with NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and his management team in Abuja.
Marwa stressed that food security and national security — both pillars of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda — are closely linked to drug control. He revealed that 10.6 million of Nigeria’s 14.3 million drug users abuse cannabis, making it the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the country.
He said the NDLEA had launched an Alternative Development initiative to persuade cannabis growers to switch to legitimate crops, including artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), used in malaria treatment and capable of generating up to $100 billion annually for Nigeria.
Marwa called on the ministry to provide inputs such as seedlings, tractors, fertilisers, and water to support the transition.
He also proposed integrating rehabilitated drug users into agricultural programmes to ensure sustainable livelihoods and reduce the risk of relapse.
Responding, Senator Kyari acknowledged the link between drug abuse and crime, noting that urgent action was required to protect the nation’s future.
He committed to working with the NDLEA on both the alternative development project and the rehabilitation support scheme, in line with the President’s directives on job creation, youth and women empowerment, and improved livelihoods.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to set up a technical committee to finalise the details of the collaboration.
