The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, has noted that if Nigeria must feed itself, empower its citizens, reduce poverty, and expand prosperity, then revamping and modernizing the cooperative sector is not optional; it is urgent and non-negotiable.
The minister spoke at the 8th National Council on Cooperative Affairs (NCCA) held in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking on the theme, “Revitalizing the Nigerian Cooperative Sector: A Catalyst for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister noted that the place of cooperatives in the Renewed Hope Agenda cannot be overemphasized.
He said, “Cooperatives remain one of Nigeria’s most powerful people-driven economic engines. They are the backbone of food production and distribution, rural and community development, housing and microfinance systems, transportation and market organisation, youth, PWDs, and women empowerment, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises sustainability.
“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 prioritized cooperative revitalization as a major pillar in achieving food security, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
“You might want to ask, why must we revitalize the sector now? Despite its enormous potential, the cooperative sector has for years struggled due to weak governance and outdated policies and legal frameworks, poor data and unreliable records, underfunding and exclusion from mainstream financial opportunities, limited digital adoption, fragmented operations across states, and inadequate training for cooperative leaders, managers, and regulators.”
He added that without the cooperative system, it would be difficult for the government to meet the needs of citizens.
“If Nigeria must feed itself, empower its citizens, reduce poverty, and expand prosperity, then revamping and modernizing the cooperative sector is not optional; it is urgent and non-negotiable,” he added.
He said that a lot had been done and put in place in preparation for the NCCA by the Federal Department of Cooperatives (FDC) for adoption and approval of policy directions for the sector.
Food security/poverty reduction: Revamping cooperative sector is urgent, not optional
