Nigeria Champions Policy Innovation for Cooperative Growth at Pan-African Conference in Kenya
Naija CooperativeNews
Abuja, Nigeria | July 31, 2025 – Hon. Victor Oyegoke, Special Assistant on Cooperatives and Farmers’ Welfare to Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, has called for bold policy reforms and governance excellence to reposition cooperatives as engines of inclusive development across Africa.
Oyegoke made this compelling case during his keynote address at the 3rd Co-operative Movement Stakeholders’ Annual Conference and the 8th Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) Scientific Conference, held from July 22 to 24, 2025, in Naivasha, Kenya.
Speaking on behalf of Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Oyegoke delivered a powerful presentation titled “Policy Innovation and Governance Excellence: Creating Enabling Environments for Cooperative Growth.”
He outlined Nigeria’s comprehensive blueprint for cooperative revitalization under the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP) – a flagship initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Oyegoke highlighted five core pillars driving this transformation:
- Legal and Institutional Reforms – Updating obsolete cooperative laws and regulatory frameworks.
- Digital Transformation – Deploying smart, transparent cooperative registries.
- Capacity Building and Professionalization – Equipping cooperative leaders and institutions with relevant skills.
- Integrated Cooperative Financing – Spearheading the establishment of a Cooperative Bank of Nigeria.
- Stakeholder Engagement – Strengthening participatory governance through national advisory bodies.
Beyond national efforts, Oyegoke proposed a Pan-African cooperative roadmap that includes:
- Harmonized continental cooperative policies in line with the SDGs
- Digitized and standardized registries across African countries
- Diaspora-led financing models and youth-targeted cooperative schemes
- Formation of Regional Co-operative Economic Clusters (RCECs) and an African Cooperative Observatory (ACO) for impact monitoring and research
In an electrifying conclusion, Oyegoke stated: “A nation that empowers its cooperatives is a nation that plants the seeds of shared prosperity. Where policy breathes, cooperatives will rise. Where governance leads, communities will thrive.”
His message resonated deeply with the international audience, receiving enthusiastic applause and chants of solidarity from delegates representing various African countries and global cooperative organizations.
The event marks another milestone in Nigeria’s leadership role in the continental cooperative renaissance and further solidifies its commitment to building inclusive, resilient, and people-centered economic systems through cooperative innovation.
A Taste of Kenya’s Natural Wonders
Beyond the conference halls, delegates were treated to a breathtaking experience of Kenya’s natural and ecological wonders. Participants visited Hell’s Gate National Park, driving through dramatic gorges and witnessing the stunning geothermal landscape that powers much of Kenya’s renewable energy. The team also toured the Olkaria Geothermal Power Station, gaining firsthand insights into sustainable energy solutions in action.
The excursion concluded with a serene boat ride on Lake Naivasha, where delegates enjoyed moments of reflection and bonding amidst wildlife and the picturesque Rift Valley scenery – capping off a fulfilling mix of diplomacy, development, and discovery.
The Nigerian delegation’s participation not only deepened regional cooperative ties but also highlighted the transformative power of visionary policy, cross-border collaboration, and shared experiences.
