The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has pledged to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to provide alternative livelihoods for illicit drug producers and integrate rehabilitated drug users into agricultural programmes, as part of efforts to enhance food and national security.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, gave the assurance on Thursday, 14 August 2025, in Abuja when he received the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and his management team.
Marwa, in his remarks, emphasised that food security and national security—two priorities under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda cannot be achieved without tackling drug abuse and trafficking. He revealed that out of Nigeria’s 14.3 million drug users, 10.6 million abuse cannabis, making it the most widely used illicit substance in the country.
He explained that NDLEA’s Alternative Development project seek to persuade cannabis growers to switch to licit crops by providing incentives such as seedlings, tractors, water, fertilisers, and other inputs. He suggested that farmers could cultivate crops like artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), a plant with significant pharmaceutical value and the potential to generate $100 billion annually for Nigeria.
Marwa also proposed that persons completing NDLEA rehabilitation programmes be integrated into agricultural schemes to provide them with sustainable livelihoods and reduce the risk of relapse.
Responding, Kyari acknowledged the link between drug abuse and criminality, pledging his ministry’s support for the initiative. He assured that rehabilitated individuals would be given access to tools, training, and other resources to support their reintegration.
The meeting agreed to set up a technical committee to work out the details of the collaboration.
