Jos, Plateau – October 23, 2025: Plateau-born accountant, Mrs. Hannatu Paul Mershak, emerges as President of the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria after 80 years
A historic milestone was achieved in Nigeria’s cooperative movement as Mrs. Hannatu Paul Mershak, a seasoned accountant and long-standing cooperative leader from Plateau State, emerged as the first female President of the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN) — the umbrella body of all cooperatives in the country — since its establishment in 1945 and official registration in 1967.
The landmark election took place during the 9th National Cooperative Summit and Congress of the CFN, held at Crispan Hotel, Jos, Plateau State, where delegates from across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory unanimously endorsed her through a peaceful consensus vote.
The new President was immediately sworn in by the Federal Director of Cooperatives, Mr. Idris Ali Sani, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of Nigeria’s oldest and largest cooperative umbrella organization.
A Trailblazer with Proven Experience: Mrs. Hannatu Mershak, who hails from Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, is a highly respected professional with over 35 years of public service and more than two decades of active leadership in the cooperative sector.
An alumnus of the University of Jos, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Mrs. Mershak also holds a Diploma and Certificate in Accounting and Auditing from the Plateau State Polytechnic. She retired as Chief Accountant from the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) after a distinguished career marked by integrity, diligence, and excellence.
Her deep commitment to cooperative development has seen her hold several leadership positions, including President of the Plateau State Cooperative Federation (PLASCOFED), President of Helping Hands Multipurpose Cooperative Society, National Treasurer of CFN, and North Central Zonal Coordinator of CFN.
Driving Reform, Empowering Communities: Over the years, Mrs. Mershak has been instrumental in reviving dormant cooperative structures in Plateau State and fostering strong collaborations between PLASCOFED and the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry. She has organized numerous capacity-building workshops for cooperative leaders and facilitated programs on financial management, good governance, and leadership succession, thereby empowering hundreds of cooperative societies and their members across Nigeria.
Her international exposure includes representing Nigeria at several African cooperative assemblies and ministerial conferences held in Rwanda (2019), Egypt (2022), and Abuja (2023), where she actively participated in continental dialogues on cooperative sustainability and gender inclusion.
A Vision Rooted in Renewed Hope: In her inaugural remarks, Mrs. Mershak pledged to lead a new era of transparency, digital transformation, and inclusivity within the Nigerian cooperative movement. She reaffirmed CFN’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP), to strengthen cooperative governance and expand economic opportunities for members nationwide.
“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every cooperative woman and man who believes in equity, accountability, and service to humanity,” she said. “Our goal is to make cooperatives a stronger pillar for national development and a source of sustainable prosperity for all Nigerians.”
Recognitions and Personal Life: For her outstanding contributions, Mrs. Mershak received the Presidential Award of the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN) in 2022, and the Long Service and Selfless Service Awards from the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
Fluent in English, Hausa, and Mwaghavul, Mrs. Mershak is known for her humility, strong Christian values, and passion for community development. She is married to Mr. Paul Mershak, and their marriage is blessed with four children.
A New Dawn for Nigerian Cooperatives: Her election signals a renewed sense of hope and progress for Nigeria’s cooperative sector — one that embraces gender inclusion, accountability, and innovation. As the first woman to lead the CFN in its 80-year history, Mrs. Mershak’s ascendancy is more than a personal victory; it is a symbol of transformation, inspiring a new generation of cooperative leaders across the nation.
Naija CooperativeNews
