Marwa gave a speech on Friday in Abuja at a meeting of the NDLEA Special Purpose Committee on the Alternative Development initiative in Nigeria.
To end human trafficking and shield the populace from the exploitative tactics of drug gangs, he added, stakeholders needed to work together.
According to Marwa, if drug traffickers had viable alternatives to extortion, the nation's illicit drug production and trade would decline.
They might turn to other crimes now that they are quickly losing ground in the illegal drug trade as a result of strict enforcement measures.
"Therefore, in order to avoid recycling illegal drug dealers into the criminal world, we must offer sustainable alternative means of engaging them," he stated.
Marwa determined that as essential instruments for the agency to use in the Alternative development program are crop substitution and education.
In an endeavor to offer sustainable, lawful, and people-centered substitutes for illegal drugs, we will establish educational programs to inform the public about the risks that illicit drug production and cultivation bring to public safety and the environment.
He added, "We will also develop strategies to attract investments into Alternative Development projects through public-private partnership, particularly in the agricultural sector, as part of our crop substitution program."
The chairman, who was accompanied by Lanre Ipinmisho, his Special Advisor on National Drug Control Master Plan, stated that the production and cultivation of illegal drugs endangers both national and international security and disturbs the natural ecosystem.
He stated, "This has serious repercussions as seen by environmental degradation, which has a detrimental effect on the climate and human health."
According to Marwa, the agency has made considerable progress, as seen by the massive seizures of illegal substances, the destruction of cannabis plants, the dismantling of covert laboratories, the arrest and prosecution of prominent suspects, and the recovery of priceless assets.
He emphasized the need of giving illegal drug traffickers viable alternatives to make a living.
They might turn to other crimes now that they are quickly losing ground in the illegal drug trade as a result of strict enforcement measures.
"Therefore, in order to avoid recycling illegal drug dealers into the criminal world, we must offer sustainable alternative means of engaging them," he stated.
Marwa also discussed the significance of community support as a crucial component in the fight against illegal substances.
According to the chairman, this might be accomplished by including the general public, private sector influencers, women's and youth organizations, traditional and religious leaders, and other grassroots organizations.
He explained that this was for efficient partnership support so that the alternative development could be implemented successfully as intended.
NDLEA was lauded for incorporating Alternative Development into its agenda to combat illicit drug trafficking by Dr. Jorrit Kamminga, the UNODC's Consultant on Alternative and Sustainable Livelihoods in Vienna, Austria.
"I believe Nigeria can effectively lead Africa in demonstrating how alternative livelihood initiatives and alternative development can help address the problems associated with illicit cannabis cultivation and other drug-related issues."
"In reality, you can take the lead by demonstrating alternative development to other African nations that, maybe with the exception of Morocco, have little experience with it.
If Nigeria recognizes the value of the environment and biodiversity right now, he believes it may also play a leading role.
At the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Alternative Development, Kamminga attested to the NDLEA's timeliness in pursuing Alternative Development as a course of action.
According to him, inclusionary measures had to be taken into account for the program's sustainability.
"Building meaningful resilience against poverty, war, and instability requires social cohesion, inclusion, and joint efforts beyond traditional family groupings.
"The encouragement of associativity has proven to be a crucial success factor for alternative growth in this regard.
"Farmers' organizations or producers' associations are essential for protecting farmers' long-term commercial interests against counterproductive incentives brought about by potential short-term but unsustainable profits, as well as for helping farmers transition to the cultivation of legal crops," the speaker stated.
Additional specialists that presented on alternative development at the meeting include Mr. Nurudeen Aderinto, Dr. Jonah Kolo, Julius Parah, Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku, Dr. Nkereuwem Ebiti, and Dr. Martins Agwogie, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).