The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has expressed its readiness to support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in two key areas:
Offering agricultural alternatives to illicit drug producers, and
Providing livelihood opportunities for drug users undergoing rehabilitation to help prevent relapse .
This commitment was made by the Minister, Abubakar Kyari, during a meeting with NDLEA Chairman/CEO retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa and his team in Abuja .
General Marwa highlighted that the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu emphasizes both food security and national security, stating, “We really cannot tackle national security without adequate attention to drug control because they are interlinked.”
Among the key points raised:
Of the 14.3 million drug users in Nigeria, 10.6 million are cannabis users, making cannabis the most widely abused psychoactive substance .
To address this, NDLEA has introduced an “Alternative Development” initiative aimed at persuading cannabis growers to switch to legal, income-generating crops. This would offer stability and remove the fear of arrest .
The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs has shown interest in supporting the project .
Meetings with cannabis growers have begun, and the ministry’s support—such as seedlings, tractors, water, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs—is being sought to facilitate the crop transition .
A promising alternative mentioned is Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), which has potential as a pharmaceutical crop (notably for malaria treatment) with a projected value of $100 billion annually if fully harnessed .
Another area of collaboration involves integrating rehabilitated drug users into agricultural programs, offering them tools and livelihood support to reduce the risk of relapse after treatment .
Minister Kyari affirmed the link between drug abuse and criminality, emphasizing that without immediate, coordinated action, the country risks breeding criminals instead of productive leaders. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the initiative and the willingness to work closely with NDLEA on both agricultural alternatives and rehab livelihoods .
The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a technical committee to work out the specifics of the collaboration .
