Kogi State and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are moving to introduce an alternative livelihood programme targeted at reducing cannabis cultivation and creating new economic opportunities for vulnerable youths and rural communities across the state.
The move was disclosed during a one-day Inter-Ministerial Workshop on Alternative and Sustainable Livelihoods organised by the NDLEA in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The workshop brought together representatives from key ministries and agencies including the Kogi State Social Investment Programme Agency (KOSSIPA), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs, and Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
Speaking during the event, the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, said the state government remains committed to agricultural transformation and youth empowerment through sustainable livelihood initiatives.
According to him, the workshop aligns with the administration’s broader goal of expanding food production, improving rural livelihoods, and discouraging involvement in criminal activities through productive economic engagement.
Ojomah commended the NDLEA for initiating the sensitisation programme and described the partnership as an important step toward strengthening food security and agricultural development in the state.
He said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration has continued to prioritise agriculture as a strategic sector capable of driving employment, investment, and economic growth in Kogi State.
The commissioner noted that the state government has intensified efforts to train youths in modern farming practices and agribusiness development through its Smart Agricultural Programme.
According to him, the programme exposes young people to digital agriculture, innovative farming techniques, and commercial agribusiness opportunities designed to make agriculture more profitable and attractive.
“The governor has continued to sponsor and support the training of youths in modern agricultural practices aimed at improving food production, creating employment opportunities and encouraging self-reliance,” he said.
He added that the alternative and sustainable livelihood initiative being introduced through the NDLEA would complement existing agricultural empowerment efforts in the state.
Ojomah explained that many youths already undergoing agricultural training in Kogi would benefit from the initiative through improved access to skills development and lawful income opportunities.
He further assured stakeholders that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security would continue supporting programmes that promote sustainable livelihoods, agricultural productivity, and rural development.
According to him, collaboration among government institutions, communities, and development agencies would be critical to ensuring the long-term success of the initiative.
In his remarks, Commander of the NDLEA Kogi Strategic Command, ACGN U.M. Yahuza, said the workshop forms part of the agency’s broader strategy to tackle the root causes of cannabis cultivation and illicit drug activities.
He explained that unemployment, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities remain major factors pushing many individuals into illegal cultivation and trafficking.
Yahuza said the Alternative Development initiative is designed to redirect affected persons toward lawful agricultural ventures and other sustainable sources of income.
“The programme aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to drug control, rural development and national security,” he said.
He added that inter-ministerial collaboration would play a major role in ensuring effective implementation across communities.
Delivering a paper titled “The Concept of Alternative Development Project in Nigeria,” the National Coordinator of Alternative Development at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Dr. Jonah Kolo, described the programme as a community-centred model focused on replacing illicit crop cultivation with sustainable agricultural activities.
Kolo explained that the initiative goes beyond law enforcement by addressing the economic and social conditions that encourage illegal cultivation.
According to him, the programme would support vulnerable communities through agricultural extension services, vocational training, market access opportunities, and social development programmes.
He also stated that the initiative is expected to support environmental sustainability, improve food security, and stimulate rural economic growth.
Kolo stressed that strong collaboration between ministries, agencies, communities, and development partners would determine the success of the programme in Kogi State and other parts of the country.
One of the major outcomes of the workshop was the decision to establish a dedicated office within the Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to coordinate the project alongside the NDLEA and other participating agencies.
The office is expected to serve as the operational centre for the implementation of alternative development initiatives and related livelihood support programmes in the state.
Stakeholders at the workshop also called for greater inclusion of women and youths in future empowerment programmes linked to the initiative.
Participants stressed the need for sustained sensitisation campaigns, skills acquisition schemes, and financial support mechanisms capable of helping vulnerable groups transition into legitimate economic activities.
Director of Administration at KOSSIPA, Akpa Issac Abuh, alongside representatives from the NOA and other ministries, emphasised that social support and economic empowerment remain important tools in reducing criminal activities and promoting community stability.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Moses Dare, urged stakeholders to sustain the momentum generated during the workshop by translating discussions into practical programmes with measurable impact.
He said improving livelihoods and strengthening economic opportunities in rural communities would contribute significantly to the fight against drug-related crimes in Kogi State.
The workshop ended with participating ministries reaffirming their commitment to supporting collaborative programmes focused on sustainable livelihoods, agricultural development, and youth empowerment across the state.
