The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s cooperative sector as a key driver of food security, job creation and inclusive economic growth.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, made this known on Thursday during the 8th National Council on Cooperative Affairs held in Abuja.
Abdullahi emphasised the strategic importance of cooperatives in national development, describing them as one of the country’s most powerful people-driven economic engines.
“The place of cooperatives in the Renewed Hope Agenda cannot be overemphasised. Cooperatives remain one of Nigeria’s most powerful people-driven economic engines,” he said.
According to the minister, cooperatives play a vital role across several sectors of the economy, including food production and distribution, rural and community development, housing and microfinance systems, transportation and market organisation.
He added that the sector also supports youth empowerment, women development, persons with disabilities and the sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
“In essence, no sector touches the everyday lives of Nigerians more directly than the cooperative ecosystem. The Renewed Hope Agenda recognises this, which is why the Federal Government has prioritised cooperative revitalisation as a major pillar in achieving food security, job creation and inclusive economic growth,” Abdullahi stated.
Despite its potential, the minister acknowledged that Nigeria’s cooperative sector has faced persistent challenges over the years.
He listed these challenges to include weak governance structures, outdated legal frameworks, inadequate funding, poor data systems, limited digital adoption and fragmented operations.
Other issues affecting the sector include insufficient training programmes and the lack of inclusive development approaches.
“If Nigeria must feed itself, empower its citizens, reduce poverty and expand prosperity, then revamping and modernising the cooperative sector is not optional; it is urgent and non-negotiable,” he said.
To tackle these issues, Abdullahi disclosed that the government had introduced the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme.
The initiative, he explained, is a comprehensive national agenda designed to reposition the cooperative sector for the demands of the 21st century.
According to the minister, the reform programme focuses on governance and regulatory reforms, institutional strengthening, digitalisation and improved access to finance.
Other components include enterprise development, stakeholder engagement and sustainability frameworks aimed at enhancing the sector’s long-term growth.
Abdullahi also highlighted progress already recorded since the current administration assumed office.
“Over the nearly three years since we assumed office, we have recorded significant progress in the area of the cooperative reform and revamp programme, notwithstanding the challenges faced,” he said.
He noted that preparations for the council meeting had been carried out by the Federal Department of Cooperatives to ensure the adoption of policy directions that will guide the sector’s transformation.
The minister explained that the 8th National Council on Cooperative Affairs would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to adopt the reform blueprint and establish mechanisms to drive the sector’s modernisation.
He said the meeting would also focus on integrating digital systems into cooperative operations, harmonising reporting standards, supporting the proposed Cooperative Bank initiative and strengthening state cooperative departments.
In addition, stakeholders are expected to endorse a national action plan that will guide the implementation of reforms across the country.
Abdullahi stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on collaboration among government agencies, cooperative societies and other stakeholders.
“Revitalising the cooperative sector is a collective responsibility,” he said.
He urged participants at the council meeting to work together in developing resolutions that would transform the lives of millions of Nigerians who rely on cooperatives for their livelihoods.
“Let us engage constructively and collaboratively to produce resolutions that will transform the lives of millions of Nigerians who depend on cooperatives for their livelihoods, dignity and economic mobility,” the minister added.
