Nigeria Moves To Curb Drug Abuse Through Agriculture Partnership
According to the 2025 World Drug Report and recent UNODC statements, drug use prevalence in Nigeria is estimated at 14.4%, nearly three times higher than the global average, with over 3 million Nigerians living with drug use disorders.
Reports say Cannabis and Opioids dominate usage, and cannabis remains the most widely abused illicit drug as one in three users reports requiring treatment or counselling
For this, Nigeria is stepping up its fight against drug abuse by linking rehabilitation and alternative farming in a new partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Under the plan, cannabis growers will be persuaded to switch to lucrative legal crops including the artemisia annua plant, used to produce anti-malaria drugs and with the potential to earn the country up to $100 billion annually.
The scheme will also provide agricultural opportunities for rehabilitated drug users to prevent relapse.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said the initiative is part of the Alternative Development project, supported by the United Nations, which aims to dismantle the cannabis economy by offering farmers viable, legitimate livelihoods.
He noted that with 10.6 million cannabis users in Nigeria, urgent action was needed.
Agriculture Minister Senator Abubakar Kyari pledged full support, highlighting the direct link between drug abuse and crime. “We will partner with NDLEA not only to enhance food security and job creation but also to rehabilitate and reintegrate affected citizens,” he assured.
A technical committee will now be set up to map out the details of the collaboration.
