Nigerian human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over the destruction of cannabis farms across the country, calling instead for the legalisation and proper regulation of the crop for medicinal and industrial purposes.

Sowore made the call in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) page on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, where he argued that destroying crops potentially worth millions of dollars amounts to wasting economic opportunities at a time Nigeria is grappling with multidimensional poverty and unemployment.

The activist described the continued destruction of cannabis farms under the country's existing drug-control policy as economically counterproductive, insisting that Nigeria could derive greater benefits from a regulated cannabis industry.

"It is idiotic @ndlea_nigeria wake up, put on uniforms, march into farms, and set economically viable crops worth millions of dollars ablaze while your country is drowning in multidimensional poverty," Sowore stated.

He urged the Federal Government to rethink its approach by creating an appropriate legal and regulatory framework that could allow the country to harness what he described as the legitimate medicinal and industrial potential of cannabis.

"Stop destroying cannabis farms. Stop wasting enormous economic opportunities in the name of a failed and outdated policy," he added.

According to Sowore, a properly regulated cannabis industry could encourage research, stimulate investment, create employment opportunities and generate additional revenue for the country.

"Legalize and properly regulate cannabis. Invest in research, harness its legitimate medicinal and industrial potential, create jobs, generate revenue, and build an industry Nigerians can benefit from," he stated.

The AAC figure further maintained that destroying cannabis plantations would not provide solutions to Nigeria's economic challenges, declaring: "You cannot burn your way out of poverty."

Sowore's remarks add to the continuing debate over Nigeria's cannabis laws, pitching the country's existing prohibition and enforcement regime against calls for reforms that would permit controlled medicinal, scientific and industrial applications of the plant.

The NDLEA has continued to conduct operations against illicit cannabis cultivation and trafficking as part of its mandate to combat drug abuse and unlawful drug production in Nigeria.