By Marie Ilo
The Federal Government has announced plans to digitize cooperative societies across Nigeria to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting on the review of the Nigerian Cooperative Societies Act in Abuja.
He said the move will modernize operations of over 30,000 registered cooperatives nationwide, ensure accurate records of finances, membership and assets, and reduce fraud within the sector.
According to the Minister, the reform is part of the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme, aimed at strengthening cooperatives to drive job creation, agricultural growth and national economic development.
Key features of the initiative include digital registration, a national cooperative database, electronic documentation and improved reporting systems.
Stakeholders, including the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria, welcomed the plan, describing digitization as vital for building trust, promoting inclusion and unlocking new opportunities in the cooperative sector.
