NDLEA, FUNAAB Deepen Partnership To Boost Alternative Development Through Artemisia Cultivation
ABEOKUTA – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has strengthened its push for sustainable agriculture and drug control through a strategic partnership with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, focusing on alternative livelihoods for vulnerable communities.
During a visit to the FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde on Tuesday, the NDLEA officials engaged with university leadership and conducted a field assessment of Artemisia annua cultivation in Ibafo, Ogun State, part of efforts to scale alternative development initiatives aimed at reducing illicit crop farming.
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, represented by his Chief of Staff, Colonel M.I. Aminu, said the initiative was designed to transition farmers away from illegal crops into high-value, legitimate agriculture.
The delegation also included Ogun State Commander Tijjani Rabe and the National Coordinator of the Alternative Development Project, Dr. Jonah Kolo.
According to Marwa, the agency’s priorities include redirecting youth into structured farming systems, translating academic research into practical field applications, and strengthening food security and livelihoods in at-risk communities.
“This engagement provides a clear pathway for collaboration that supports farmer transition, youth empowerment, and sustainable agricultural development,” he said.
He reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to partnerships that deliver tangible socio-economic impact.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the institution’s extensive agricultural capacity, including thousands of hectares of arable land.
He noted that promoting legal agricultural ventures could play a significant role in poverty reduction and help curb drug abuse among young people.
Prof. Kehinde also called for improved rehabilitation strategies, pointing to a nearby underutilised private rehabilitation centre.
He advocated integrating vocational training—such as fashion design and shoemaking into recovery programmes to support reintegration.
A major highlight of the visit was the focus on Artemisia annua, a medicinal plant with strong commercial value.
The NDLEA team assessed an existing farm in Ibafo, identified through collaboration with academic experts, as a potential model for expanding cultivation.
The partnership underscores a growing emphasis on alternative development as a key strategy in Nigeria’s fight against drug-related challenges, combining enforcement with economic empowerment and sustainable agriculture.
