₦airaland Forum

NDLEA Strengthens Alternative Development Drive with FUNAAB Visit, Artemisia Farm Assessment in Ogun

ABEOKUTA The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its Alternative Development initiative with a strategic visit to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and a field assessment of Artemisia annua cultivation in Ibafo, Ogun State.

The visit, which took place on April 21, 2026, underscores the Agency’s commitment to reducing illicit crop cultivation while promoting sustainable agricultural livelihoods.
Speaking through a delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Colonel MI Aminu, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), CON, OFR, said the engagement is focused on driving practical implementation of Alternative Development programmes across the country.

The delegation also included the Ogun State Commander of NDLEA, Commander Tijjani Rabe, and the National Coordinator of the Alternative Development Project in Nigeria, CN Jonah Kolo, Ph.D.

According to Marwa, the initiative is designed to transition illicit crop farmers into legal, high-value agricultural ventures, channel youths into structured and productive farming systems, translate research outputs into scalable field programmes, and strengthen food systems and economic empowerment in vulnerable communities.

He noted that the collaboration between NDLEA and FUNAAB provides a viable pathway for joint action in advancing farmer transition, youth empowerment, and sustainable agricultural development, while reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to partnerships that enhance livelihoods and support national development priorities.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, commended the initiative, highlighting the institution’s vast agricultural capacity, including thousands of hectares of arable land. He noted that promoting legitimate farming as an alternative income source could significantly reduce poverty and curb youths’ vulnerability to drug abuse.

The Vice-Chancellor also called for strengthened rehabilitation efforts, pointing to an underutilised privately owned rehabilitation centre near the University. He advocated the integration of vocational and entrepreneurial skills such as fashion design and shoemaking into rehabilitation programmes to aid the reintegration of recovering individuals into society.

A major highlight of the visit was the focus on Artemisia annua, a high-value medicinal crop with strong economic potential. The NDLEA delegation conducted an on-site assessment of an Artemisia farm in Ibafo, identified through collaboration with academic experts.

The initiative, according to the PRO NDLEA, Ogun State Command Haris A. Musa in a statement reflects a strategic shift towards preventive, development-driven approaches in tackling drug-related challenges in Nigeria.