Ondo to Partner NDLEA on alternative development to curb illicit drug cultivation

……..Drug abuse alarming in Ondo – NDLEA Boss

By Precious Oluwole

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has raised the alarm over the rising prevalence of drug abuse in Ondo State, disclosing that an estimated 400,000 residents are involved in drug use.

Marwa made this known while leading a high-powered NDLEA delegation on a courtesy visit to Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, where he also commended the governor’s leadership and commitment to socio-economic development and drug control initiatives.

According to the NDLEA boss, Nigeria currently has about 15 million drug users between the ages of 15 and 64, representing one in every seven Nigerians, a figure he described as nearly three times the global average.

“In Ondo State, the drug use prevalence stands at 17 per cent, translating to approximately 400,000 people. Though lower than Lagos State’s 33 per cent, the figure remains worrisome,” Marwa said, adding that drug abuse has continued to fuel insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the country.

He revealed that intelligence reports have shown that kidnappers and other criminal elements often establish camps within cannabis-producing communities located deep in forests, where illicit drugs are readily available.

Providing operational statistics, the NDLEA chairman disclosed that the Ondo State Command recorded 336 arrests in 2025, seized 22,316 kilogrammes of illicit drugs, secured 62 convictions, and destroyed over 207,000 kilogrammes of cannabis from farms and plantations across the state. He added that 243 drug-dependent persons were treated at the agency’s counselling and rehabilitation centre during the period.

Marwa described Ondo State as Nigeria’s highest producer of cannabis, attributing this to favourable climate and soil conditions. He noted that over 75 per cent of the 15,000 tonnes of illicit drugs seized nationwide in the last five years was cannabis, accounting for about 70 to 75 per cent of drug consumption in the country.

While acknowledging the potential medicinal value of cannabis-derived products, the NDLEA boss said the agency had commissioned the Nigerian Academy of Science to conduct an evidence-based study on controlled cultivation for medical and export purposes, stressing that any final decision would rest with the Federal Government and international regulatory bodies.

In a major policy shift, Marwa announced that the NDLEA is adopting an alternative development approach to address illicit cannabis cultivation, focusing on dialogue and economic substitution rather than solely on raids, arrests and prosecutions.

“We are engaging cannabis-growing communities to abandon illicit crops and embrace legitimate alternatives. With the proposed amendment to our Act prescribing 15 to 25 years imprisonment without option of fine, the risks are now much higher,” he warned.

He explained that the new strategy targets sustainable livelihoods for rural communities through access to farm inputs, infrastructure, markets, education and healthcare, noting that wealthy drug financiers often evade justice while poor farmers bear the consequences.

Marwa disclosed that the NDLEA has established an Alternative Development Unit at its headquarters and selected Ondo State as the pilot state in Africa for the initiative, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other international partners.

He urged the Ondo State Government to set up a corresponding state-level alternative development unit and commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his support, including the establishment of the State Drug Control Committee and plans to replicate it at the local government level.

“The presence and support of Your Excellency demonstrate that the fight against drug abuse must begin at the state level,” Marwa said, while recommending alternative high-value crops such as Artemisia annua, used in malaria treatment, as viable substitutes for cannabis cultivation.

Responding, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged the full support of his administration to the NDLEA following the launch of the agency’s Alternative Development Programme in Ondo State.

He commended Marwa for personally leading the programme rather than delegating it, describing the move as a demonstration of commitment to curbing illicit drug cultivation, production, trafficking, and consumption.

He praised the NDLEA for complementing enforcement with the initiative, which would provide farmers with alternative livelihoods.

The governor thanked the agency for selecting Ondo State as the pilot for the programme, noting statistics showing the state as the largest producer of cannabis in Nigeria.

He added that Ondo is also a major producer of legitimate agricultural products, such as cocoa, due to its vast forests, fertile soil and favourable climate. While the majority of residents are law-abiding, some still engage in illicit cultivation.

Aiyedatiwa assured the NDLEA of government support, recalling past assistance with vehicles and logistics to aid enforcement.

He welcomed the suggestion to establish an Alternative Development Unit in the state, noting it could be placed under the governor’s office in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant advisers.

The governor highlighted existing initiatives, including the “Youth on Ridges” programme, where over 5,000 hectares were cleared for cocoa cultivation to promote agriculture and job creation and the state’s “tomato revolution,” which now accounts for about 40 percent of Lagos market tomatoes.

He stressed that community engagement with traditional rulers, churches and mosques would continue to encourage behavioural change among those involved in illicit cultivation, noting that education and enforcement are necessary to achieve lasting results.

Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed interest in the medicinal use of cannabis oil, urging the NDLEA to expedite ongoing studies and share the findings with the state.

He advocated controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes, citing global practices and recent approvals in other countries, noting that cannabis oil is among the most expensive oils traded globally.

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka; Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Adesoji Afolabi; Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Leye Akinola; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Mr Gani Mohamed.