Call for Nominations and Support: 7th National Cooperative Awards, Symposium & Exhibitions

The Cooperative Rating & Award Society of Nigeria (CRASoN), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) through the Federal Department of Cooperatives (FDC), has officially opened nominations for the 7th National Cooperative Awards, Symposium & Exhibitions 2025. The theme for this year’s event is “Renewed Hope for Cooperatives: Harnessing the Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme to foster Sustainable Development in Nigeria” with the #CoopAWARDS tagline as “#TheChampions #Lagos2025”

The annual event celebrates the contributions and achievements of cooperatives, cooperators, and stakeholders who continue to add immense value to Nigeria’s economy and strengthen communities through inclusivity and shared prosperity.

Call for Entry Nominations: CRASoN is inviting individuals, cooperatives, and private organizations working for and with Cooperatives nationwide to submit entries for this year’s awards. Nominees may include cooperatives and individuals whose outstanding achievements have not yet received national or international recognition but deserve to be celebrated.

The Call for Entries is open until September 15. Late entries and supporting documents will be accepted until September 30. All nominations must be submitted online at www.crason.coop/entries.

This year’s awards feature four major sections with 50 categories, covering diverse areas of cooperative excellence. Full details on categories and guidelines are available at www.crason.coop/awardcategories. Winners will be announced at the Grand Finale event on the 23rd of November at RHL Hall (Former Ostra Hall), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. The Award Show, Dinner and Patron’s Investiture Ceremony will have the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security as Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker, the Lagos State Governor as the event Chief Host, with President of ICOPRON, Dr. Olubunmi Fajobi mni, ficp and President of CFN & ICA-Africa High Chief Ayeola O.T. to be our Guests of Honour. The event will be streamed live globally and broadcast on national television.

More Than Awards: CRASoN Projects Driving Change. Beyond recognizing excellence, the Awards are part of CRASoN’s broader initiatives — Project CoopCOUNT, CoopCARE, CoopAWARDS, and CoopSYMPOSIUM — designed to tackle key challenges facing the cooperative sector, including:

Lack of reliable cooperative data and statistics.

Insufficient promotion of cooperative values, ethics, and social responsibility.

Inadequate recognition of cooperatives as development actors.

Gaps in cooperative education, awareness, and promotion.

Through these projects, CRASoN is complementing the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the cooperative regulators, and the wider cooperative movement to revitalize, refocus, and inspire development among cooperative societies across Nigeria.

Appeal for Support: As a non-for-profit organization, CRASoN relies on the goodwill and support of awardees, partners and stakeholders to sustain these landmark initiatives. To successfully host this year’s Awards and related projects, CRASoN is seeking over ₦50million in financial and moral support.

Donations will help cover:

1. Nationwide cooperative sensitization and awareness campaigns.
2. Venue, accommodation, and logistics for VIP participants, including regulators and dignitaries.
3. Award trophies, certificates, branding, and red carpet activities.
4. Event brochures, digital adverts, and media coverage.
5. Cocktail receptions, banquets, and hospitality for guests, ministers, and governors.
6. Entertainment, multimedia equipment, photography, and live coverage.

“There is nothing worse than watching your eight-year-old die. And there is nothing better than saving her back from heaven…” reads an emotional appeal from CRASoN leadership, reflecting the urgency of sustaining a project that has been nurtured for eight years.

Your support can make a difference. Every contribution — big or small — will help CRASoN continue acknowledging excellence, strengthening cooperative identity, and promoting the role of cooperatives in achieving Nigeria’s economic goals and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For more information about CoopCOUNT, CoopCARE, CoopAWARDS & CoopSYMPOSIUM or to make donations, visit www.crason.coop or contact 08024472797.