In a bid to revitalise cooperative societies in Nigeria through reform and capacity-building, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has launched a training programme for trustees, management committees and managers of cooperative societies across the country.
At the first of the workshops, which was held at the Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna, on Tuesday – yesterday, February 25 – the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi, emphasised the critical role cooperative societies play in economic development, job creation and food security.
Globally, over 12 percent of the population is engaged in cooperative activities, contributing to the employment of 280 million people, he disclosed, emphasizing the importance of cooperative societies to the economic wellbeing even of nations.
“In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are committed to reforming and revamping the cooperative sector to restore its glory and enhance its contribution to national development.
“This training is a testament to that commitment,” the minister stated.
The reforms, he said, would include a review of the Nigerian Cooperative Act to align with global best practices, a strengthened regulatory framework to ensure compliance, and a monitoring strategy to eliminate fraudulent cooperatives.
Disclosing the Ministry’s plan to convene the National Council on Cooperative Affairs to enhance synergy and collaboration among stakeholders, the minister assured cooperative members of the government’s support, adding that the renewed attention to the sector presents a historic opportunity to rebuild confidence and maximise the economic potential of cooperatives in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Dr Ibrahim Auwal, Provost of the Federal Cooperative College, Kaduna, commended the initiative, stating that cooperative societies serve as pillars of economic empowerment and social cohesion.
He urged the participants to leverage the training to enhance their leadership, financial management, and operational efficiency.
The training, which will be replicated at Federal Cooperative Colleges in Ibadan and Oji-River, Enugu State, is aimed at equipping cooperative leaders with the necessary skills to drive sustainable development across the country.
