The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has partnered with Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to roll out an Alternative Development Programme that aims to persuade cannabis cultivators in Edo to adopt legal crops such as cassava, yam and maize, with the promise of farm inputs and essential community facilities.
Key facts: the agency reported arresting more than 1,200 suspected traffickers and seizing over 30 tonnes of illicit substances in Edo during 2025; cannabis accounts for roughly 75 % of the 16 million kg of assorted drugs seized nationwide in the past five years; the pilot phase of the programme began in Ondo State in January and is now being extended to Edo after positive early results. Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), NDLEA Chairman and CEO, said, “Enforcement alone cannot permanently solve illicit cultivation without giving farmers viable economic alternatives.”
What is the Alternative Development Programme?
The scheme offers cannabis growers a transition pathway to legitimate agriculture, backed by the state through provision of seeds, fertilizers, and the construction of roads, schools, clinics and water points. It seeks to remove the financial lure of cannabis, which many farmers consider more profitable despite the risk of prosecution.
Why is the programme being introduced now?
Edo has become a hotspot for cannabis production, fueling criminal activities such as kidnapping. Governor Okpebholo warned that “drugs are at the root of virtually every crime; kidnappers often demand drugs before ransom.” He pledged full cooperation with NDLEA, describing illicit drugs as “our enemy.”
Who else is involved?
The traditional institution is being enlisted, with the Oba of Benin playing a pivotal role in persuading communities across the Benin Kingdom to abandon cannabis cultivation. The monarch, whose office is recognised on Wikipedia, praised the agency’s efforts and hinted at private recommendations to improve operations.
What international support exists?
Nigeria is the first African nation to embed alternative development as a core pillar of its drug‑control strategy, a move endorsed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The federal government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, backs the initiative.
How are other sectors being mobilised?
Marwa met with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Edo, urging drivers and motor‑park operators to use their networks to discourage drug abuse and trafficking. Plans are also underway to engage religious bodies, civil‑society groups and the media to create a whole‑of‑society response.
The governor was later honoured as a WADA Grand Ambassador for his commitment, while the Oba thanked Marwa for acknowledging the Benin Kingdom’s contributions to combating drug abuse, human trafficking and other social ills. Both leaders stressed that sustained community‑level advocacy, alongside robust enforcement, is essential to curb the drug menace that, according to Marwa, affects over 15 million Nigerians—about three times the global average.
In summary, the collaborative effort between NDLEA, state authorities, traditional rulers and civil society aims to replace the illicit cannabis economy with sustainable agriculture, thereby reducing drug‑related crime and improving livelihoods across Edo State.