The Federal Government has unveiled a new strategy to reposition cooperative societies as engines of economic transformation and community wealth creation, through the implementation of the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP).
Speaking during the commemoration of the 2nd United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) in Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi said the government recognises cooperative development as a key tool for reducing poverty, promoting rural development and achieving inclusive economic growth.
“Globally, cooperatives now represent over one billion members, operating in more than 100 countries and providing over 280 million jobs, which accounts for nearly 10 per cent of the world’s employed population,” he said.
In Nigeria, Abdullahi noted that cooperatives are active across multiple sectors, including agriculture, housing, credit, transportation and trade. “We currently have over 370,000 registered cooperative societies with millions of members improving rural livelihoods, boosting agricultural productivity, and driving financial inclusion, particularly for women and youth,” he said.
The RH-CRRP, according to the minister, includes a series of reforms aimed at improving governance, accountability, and the ease of doing business for cooperatives. Key elements of the programme include policy and regulatory reforms, digitalisation of cooperative registries at both federal and state levels, and capacity-building initiatives targeting cooperators, cooperative officers, and service providers. These trainings will focus on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and enterprise development.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership and commitment to revitalising the cooperative movement through the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
Abdullahi also announced that a National Stakeholders Validation Workshop will be held from July 30 to 31, 2025, in Abuja, where cooperative leaders, development partners and key stakeholders will review and finalise the RH-CRRP framework.
In his welcome address, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, represented by Engr. Mohammed Bello, director II of agricultural lands and climate change management services, said cooperatives have played a vital role in food production, market access and food security.
A statement by the ministry’s director of information signed by Chika Ogbuagu said the event drew representatives from cooperative societies across Nigeria and other key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Highlights included the decoration of Abdullahi as grand patron of the Cooperative Movement in Nigeria and the permanent secretary as patron.
