By Simeon Shodimu
The federal government has unveiled plans aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s cooperative sector as a central driver of agribusiness growth, food security and inclusive economic development.
This was made known at the 8th National Council on Cooperative Affairs (NCCA) in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described cooperatives as “one of Nigeria’s most powerful people-driven economic engines, critical to agricultural production, value chain development and rural livelihoods.”
The reform programme, titled the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP), is designed to modernise and commercialise cooperative activities, particularly within the agricultural sector.
Abdullahi noted that the initiative will strengthen cooperative governance, improve access to finance and integrate farmers into structured agribusiness value chains.
He said cooperatives play a pivotal role in food production, aggregation, processing and distribution, making them indispensable to Nigeria’s quest for food security and reduced import dependence.
“Revamping and modernising the cooperative sector is not optional; it is urgent and non-negotiable if Nigeria must feed itself, empower its citizens and expand prosperity,” the minister said.
A key highlight of the reform is the planned establishment of a Cooperative Bank of Nigeria, expected to unlock affordable credit for farmers, agro-processors and rural enterprises that have long been excluded from formal financing systems.
The government also plans to deploy a nationwide Cooperative Smart Registry and introduce a Cooperative Verification Number (CVN) to improve data management, transparency and access to financial services.
Stakeholders say these measures could significantly improve productivity and traceability across agricultural value chains, while enabling cooperatives to scale operations and attract private investment.
The RH-CRRP framework places strong emphasis on enterprise development, including the creation of localised processing hubs, support for cooperative farming clusters and access to shared farm equipment. These interventions are expected to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance value addition and increase incomes for smallholder farmers.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, in his remarks, said the reforms would strengthen agricultural value chains and create sustainable livelihoods for millions of Nigerians.
“Cooperatives remain central to empowering farmers, youth, women and persons with disabilities, while driving rural economic growth and agribusiness expansion,” he said.
The government acknowledged longstanding challenges limiting the sector’s performance, including weak governance structures, poor data systems, limited digital adoption and inadequate funding.
To address these, the reform programme includes capacity building for cooperative leaders, harmonised accounting standards nationwide and stronger regulatory frameworks to enhance accountability and investor confidence.
According to him, the ministry has undertaken nationwide stakeholder consultations, training programmes and policy reviews, including updates to the Nigerian Cooperative Societies Act.
The NCCA is expected to adopt the RH-CRRP as the national blueprint for cooperative development, alongside a 2026–2027 action plan. It will also deliberate on 49 policy memos aimed at strengthening cooperative operations and aligning them with national agricultural priorities.
The success of the reforms could significantly reshape Nigeria’s agribusiness landscape by formalising informal producers, improving access to markets and finance, and accelerating rural industrialisation.
