The Federal Government has announced ambitious plans to revolutionise cooperative societies nationwide.
The plan will include digitalization, aiming to modernise their operations, enhance transparency in financial reporting, maintain accurate records of members and assets, and strengthen governance in over 30,000 registered cooperatives.
Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to review the Nigerian Cooperative Societies Act, Cap N98 LFN 2004.
Abdullahi highlighted that the reform will focus on several key digital initiatives, including digital registration, the creation of a national cooperative database, digital membership identification systems, electronic documentation, and enhanced administration, filings, and reporting processes.
“This digital transformation,” the Minister said, “is designed to reposition cooperatives as strong, efficient, and credible institutions within Nigeria’s economy.”
He emphasised that digitalization will bolster the strength of cooperative institutions, increase trust, improve service delivery, reduce fraud, and unlock new opportunities within the cooperative sector.
“When properly structured and supported, cooperatives can serve as powerful tools for capital mobilization, inclusive growth, and shared wealth creation,” Abdullahi explained, describing the initiative as transformative. He further stressed that the programme would position cooperatives as key instruments for community wealth creation, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic development.
According to Abdullahi, “cooperatives should no longer be viewed as secondary entities. They are strategic institutions capable of mobilising capital, empowering citizens, generating jobs, boosting agricultural productivity, and reinforcing the national economy.”
The Minister also acknowledged the contributions of the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), noting that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security would spearhead the initiative. The Ministry is tasked with consolidating stakeholder inputs into a final national document that will harmonize the country’s cooperative policies.
“This document will align with the International Cooperative Alliance – Africa Model Cooperative Law and the Africa Ministerial Declaration and Action Plan, which Nigeria co-signed with other African nations at the 14th Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (AMCCO) in October 2025,” Abdullahi disclosed. Additionally, International IDEA will join the Coalition of the Willing, a group of partners backing the RH-CRRP initiative.
In her remarks, Hannatu Mershak, President of the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria, emphasised that digitalization is more than just a technological innovation, it’s a critical step toward improving efficiency, integrity, inclusion, and sustainable growth within the cooperative sector.
“The push for digitalization,” she added, “will not only enhance cooperative institutions but also strengthen trust, improve service delivery, reduce fraud, and unlock new opportunities within the cooperative ecosystem.”
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