THE FEDERAL Government has reaffirmed its commitment to revitalising cooperative societies in Nigeria through a comprehensive reform and capacity-building initiative.
This was disclosed at the inauguration of the National Intensive Training Workshop for Trustees, Management Committees, and Managers of Cooperative Societies, held at the Federal Cooperative College,on Tuesday in Kaduna.
Speaking at the event, 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.
He said that globally, over 12 per cent of the population was engaged in cooperative activities, contributing to the employment for 280 million people.
“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.
He added that plans were underway 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, aims to equip cooperative leaders with the necessary skills to drive sustainable development across the country. (NAN)
