The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has deepened its Alternative Development drive through a strategic visit on 21st April 2026 to the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and a field assessment of Artemisia annua cultivation in Ibafo, Ogun State.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) CON OFR, stated through a delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Colonel MI Aminu, alongside the State Commander, NDLEA Ogun State Command, Commander Tijjani Rabe, and the National Coordinator, Alternative Development Project in Nigeria, CN Jonah Kolo, Ph.D., that the visit is aimed at driving the Alternative Development project in Nigeria through practical implementation that reduces illicit crop cultivation and expands sustainable agricultural opportunities.
General Marwa further outlined that the priorities of the engagement include: transition of illicit crop farmers into legal, high-value agriculture; channeling of youth into structured and productive farming systems; translation of research into scalable field programs; and strengthening empowerment and food systems in vulnerable communities.
He added that the engagement provides a clear pathway for joint action between NDLEA and FUNAAB, which will support farmer transition, youth empowerment, and sustainable agricultural development. He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to partnerships that deliver practical results, strengthen livelihoods, and support national development priorities.
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, lauded the initiative, noting the University’s vast agricultural resources, including thousands of hectares of arable land. He stated that promoting legitimate crop farming as an alternative source of income could help reduce poverty and limit young people’s vulnerability to drug abuse.
The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised the need to strengthen rehabilitation efforts, drawing attention to an underutilised privately owned rehabilitation centre located near the University. He advocated the integration of entrepreneurial skills such as fashion design, shoemaking, and other vocations into rehabilitation programmes to support the reintegration of recovering individuals.
A key highlight of the visit was the focus on Artemisia annua, a high-value medicinal crop with strong economic potential. The NDLEA team conducted an on-site assessment of an Artemisia farm in Ibafo, identified through collaboration with academic experts.
ASN Haris A Musa
Public Relations Officer
NDLEA Ogun State Command
For: State Commander
23rd April 2026
NDLEA
Femi Babafemi
Tijjani Rabe
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