Ogun State Seeks Strategic Partnership with FG as Cooperative Reforms Gain Nationwide Momentum

…Commissioner Balogun Commends Minister’s Leadership, Signals Readiness for Deeper Collaboration and Grassroots Mobilization

In a significant move to strengthen cooperative development across Nigeria, the Honourable Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives in Ogun State, Hon. Ademola Balogun, has expressed strong interest in partnering with the Federal Government to advance ongoing reforms in the sector.

This was made known during a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister, where the Commissioner commended the Minister’s proactive leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning the cooperative sector through the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP).

Hon. Balogun noted that, for the first time in recent history, the cooperative sector is receiving deliberate attention at the federal level, backed by strategic policy direction and institutional support. He described the current administration’s approach as transformative, emphasizing that the reforms are already gaining traction among stakeholders nationwide.

As part of his engagement, the Commissioner formally requested the inclusion of Ogun State cooperatives in key federal programmes and interventions, particularly in the areas of financial support, grants, and capacity-building initiatives. He stressed that such inclusion would significantly enhance the productivity and sustainability of cooperative societies within the state.

Beyond policy collaboration, Hon. Balogun also signaled his readiness to support grassroots mobilization efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections. Drawing from his previous role as a South-West Coordinator in a political support structure, he expressed willingness to work with credible platforms to drive coordinated engagement at the grassroots level.

In response, the Honourable Minister appreciated the visit and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that all states, including Ogun, benefit from the ongoing cooperative reform agenda.

He highlighted key components of the RH-CRRP, including the development of a digital cooperative ecosystem through the Cooperative Verification Number (CVN) and CoopID system, aimed at enhancing transparency and eliminating fraud within the sector.

The Minister also underscored the planned establishment of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria, describing it as a groundbreaking initiative that will unlock access to affordable financing for cooperatives and catalyze sector-wide growth.

Other focal areas of the reform include strengthening cooperative institutions, expanding the cooperative space, and enhancing capacity development through strategic partnerships with training institutions and regulatory bodies.

He further emphasized that the reform agenda aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision, aimed at positioning cooperatives as key drivers of economic inclusion, food security, and national development.

The meeting concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among state governments, urging Commissioners across the country to align with the reform efforts and actively participate in upcoming national engagements, including the National Council on Cooperative Affairs.

As cooperative reforms continue to gather momentum nationwide, strategic partnerships between federal and state actors are expected to play a critical role in unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s cooperative sector.