Two Years of Service, Purpose, and a Renewed Hope for Nigeria’s Cooperative Sector
Naija CooperativeNews
Just like yesterday, today marks two years since I was appointed as the Special Assistant (SA) on Cooperatives and Farmers’ Welfare to the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, the Supervising Minister of Cooperative Affairs in Nigeria.
As I reflect on this journey, my heart is filled with gratitude to God Almighty for His faithfulness, guidance, and grace.
This appointment was not just another public office. It was a historic opportunity to serve in a position that was the first of its kind at the Federal Government level in Nigeria, a position created at a critical time when the nation was seeking innovative pathways to economic empowerment, food security, financial inclusion, and sustainable development through the cooperative movement.
For me, however, this journey did not begin on the day of my appointment.
It began over 25 years ago with a personal conviction that cooperatives remain one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives, reducing poverty, creating jobs, empowering communities, and building a more prosperous Nigeria. Over the years, I encountered numerous challenges, setbacks, disappointments, and moments of uncertainty. Yet, I never abandoned the vision.
Today, seeing many of those dreams gradually becoming reality reminds me that purpose is fulfilled not merely by human effort but by the grace and favour of God.
I remain deeply grateful to my Principal, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, CON, whose confidence, support, leadership, and commitment to cooperative development have provided me with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of the cooperative sector in Nigeria in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Looking back over the last two years, despite the challenges and limitations, we have continued to move forward with determination, laying a strong foundation for the transformation of Nigeria’s cooperative ecosystem through the development and implementation of the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP).
The RH-CRRP is a bold and comprehensive national reform initiative designed to reposition the cooperative sector as a strategic driver of economic growth, food security, financial inclusion, social development, and national prosperity.
The programme is built around seven strategic pillars:
- Cooperative Governance and Institutional Reforms
Strengthening cooperative governance structures, enhancing accountability, improving regulatory frameworks, and repositioning institutions responsible for cooperative development across the country.
- Cooperative Financing and the Establishment of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria
Expanding access to affordable finance for cooperatives, farmers, traders, artisans, and small businesses while driving the establishment of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria as a sustainable cooperative-owned financial institution.
- Cooperative Sector Digitalization and Data Management Systems
Deploying digital technologies and building a credible national cooperative database through initiatives such as the National Cooperative Digital Architecture Platform (NCDAP), Cooperative Verification Number (CVN), and Cooperative Member Identification Number (CoopID).
- Capacity Building, Cooperative Education and Human Capital Development
Promoting cooperative education, leadership development, technical training, innovation, and professional excellence across all levels of the cooperative movement.
- Value Chain Development, Enterprise Growth and Market Access
Supporting cooperative enterprises to improve productivity, strengthen value chains, increase competitiveness, access new markets, and create sustainable economic opportunities.
- Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Inclusion and Empowerment
Creating deliberate opportunities for youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to participate actively in cooperative enterprises, leadership, innovation, and wealth creation.
- Strategic Partnerships, Investments and Global Cooperative Competitiveness
Building strong collaborations with government institutions, development partners, private sector organizations, investors, and international cooperative bodies to position Nigerian cooperatives for global relevance and competitiveness.
What We Hope to Achieve
Through these reforms, we envision:
- Stronger and more accountable cooperative institutions.
- A fully digitalized and data-driven cooperative ecosystem.
- Increased access to finance through the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria and other financing mechanisms.
- Greater economic opportunities for farmers, traders, artisans, youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
- Enhanced enterprise growth, productivity, and market access.
- Improved investor confidence and strategic partnerships.
- A globally competitive cooperative movement contributing significantly to national development and the realization of Nigeria’s economic aspirations, Especially to contribute to the One-Trillion-Dollar-Economy within the decade as envisioned by His Excellemcy, PresidentBola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR .
As I celebrate this milestone, I do so with humility, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to service.
I thank God Almighty, my Principal, our cooperative leaders, stakeholders, development partners, colleagues, friends, and the millions of cooperators across Nigeria who continue to believe in this vision.
The work is still ongoing. The mission is bigger than any individual. We are building institutions, systems, and opportunities that will outlive us and benefit generations to come.
I invite every cooperator, stakeholder, investor, policymaker, development partner, and patriotic Nigerian to join us in this journey of transformation.
Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, more prosperous, and globally competitive cooperative sector for Nigeria.
The foundation has been laid. The momentum is growing. The future is bright.
Happy 2nd Anniversary of National Service to Hon. Victor Oyegoke, Wishing you more years of meritorious service to your fatherland
