The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has said the introduction of the Alternative Development Project in Nigeria is aimed at ending the long-standing conflict between law enforcement and illicit drug producers, while providing sustainable livelihoods that promote food security.
Marwa made this known on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at a town hall meeting in Akure, Ondo State, where the NDLEA officially launched the Alternative Development Pilot Project in Nigeria.
The initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event attracted national stakeholders and international partners, both physically and virtually.
Among those in attendance were Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa; senior officials of the state government; the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Cheikh Toure; Head of Project, Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development, Berlin, Ms. Sarah David; Global Coordinator, Alternative Development/Sustainable Livelihoods at UNODC Vienna, Mr. Thierry Rostan; Dr. Tahirou Abdoulaye of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; and a representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
In his keynote address, Marwa described illicit drug cultivation as a serious challenge but stressed that it also presents an opportunity for collective action and sustainable solutions.
He said the town hall meeting was designed to foster dialogue and community-driven approaches to addressing illicit drug production and related environmental crimes.
“This engagement is not about talking at communities, but talking with them. We are here to work together, agree on a friendly, community-centered approach, and secure sustainable commitments that will ensure a permanent exit from the world of illicit drugs,” Marwa said.
He highlighted the link between drug abuse, trafficking, and insecurity, noting that criminal elements, including terrorists and bandits, often rely on drugs to fuel their activities and finance operations.
According to him, the Alternative Development Project seeks to establish robust community networks that support crop substitution, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive participation by all stakeholders.
Marwa explained that the initiative is targeted at communities willing to abandon illicit cultivation, particularly cannabis, in favour of licit cash and food crops.
He cited Artemisia annua as one of several viable alternatives with higher economic value and additional health benefits, including its use in malaria treatment.
The NDLEA boss emphasized that Alternative Development focuses on empowerment rather than enforcement, noting that illicit drug profits rarely benefit cultivating communities, which are often left with poverty, environmental degradation, and insecurity.
He assured participants that the programme would not be used as a ploy for arrests or intimidation, calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, market associations, and other stakeholders to support the initiative from within their communities.
“To cooperating communities, we are no longer enemies. We are partners in progress. Together, we can build drug-free, prosperous, and healthy communities,” Marwa said, adding that the pilot project would begin with three communities in Ondo State before being assessed for nationwide expansion.
In his remarks, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa welcomed the initiative and commended the NDLEA for selecting Ondo State for the pilot phase. He pledged the state government’s full support, including land allocation, land clearing, and provision of seeds and seedlings to ensure the success of the programme.
The governor also urged youths to shun drug abuse and embrace the opportunities presented by the Alternative Development Project, stressing the importance of hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurship in securing a better future.
Speaking on behalf of traditional institutions, the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, expressed strong support for the initiative and commended Marwa for transforming the NDLEA into a result-oriented agency.
He urged youths in the state to embrace the programme, describing it as a lawful and sustainable alternative to illicit drug cultivation, and assured the NDLEA of the continued support of traditional rulers in Ondo State.
Reporting By Niran Odufayo