The federal government has inaugurated the National Steering Committee (NSC) for the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP) to strengthen cooperative governance and drive sector-wide digitalisation.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, inaugurated the committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Abdullahi said the inauguration marked a major step in implementing the RH-CRRP 2025–2030.

He said the programme would reposition cooperatives as vehicles for food security, economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, financial inclusion and social empowerment.

The minister said the committee would serve as the apex coordinating and policy-guiding body for the programme.

According to him, the committee will ensure the programme’s objectives translate into measurable outcomes across the federation.

He said the RH-CRRP, approved by the National Council on Cooperative Affairs (NCCA), aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The programme seeks to transform cooperatives into modern, digitally enabled, transparent, productive and investment-ready institutions capable of driving national development,” he said.

Mr Abdullahi said cooperatives would serve as platforms for agricultural production, enterprise development, access to finance, value chain integration and inclusive economic participation.

He said successful implementation required strong leadership, effective coordination, stakeholder ownership, accountability and sustained oversight.

The minister urged committee members to discharge their duties with patriotism, professionalism, integrity and commitment to national development.

He tasked them with advancing sector digitalisation through the National Cooperative Smart Registry, Cooperative Verification Number and Cooperative Member Identification Number.

Mr Abdullahi said the committee should facilitate the establishment of the Cooperative Bank of Nigeria and other financing mechanisms.

He also urged members to promote agricultural value chains through farmers’ producer cooperative organisations and comparative cooperative farms.

The minister called for targeted empowerment initiatives for youths, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

He also stressed the need to modernise cooperative laws and establish a robust monitoring, evaluation and accountability framework.

“The success of the RH-CRRP will be measured by cooperatives strengthened, farmers empowered, jobs created, enterprises established, citizens financially included and communities transformed,” he said.

Earlier, the Federal Director of Cooperatives, Mohammed Abdulkadir, said cooperatives remained vital instruments for economic empowerment and social development.

He said millions of Nigerians depended directly and indirectly on cooperative enterprises for their livelihoods.

According to him, the sector faces challenges including weak governance structures, outdated laws, inadequate financing and limited access to markets and technology.

Mr Abdulkadir said the ministry developed the RH-CRRP to transform the cooperative ecosystem and promote inclusive economic growth.

He said the programme rests on seven pillars, including governance reforms, financing, digitalisation, capacity building, value chain development, inclusion and strategic partnerships.

According to him, the pillars provide a roadmap for building a transparent, accountable and globally competitive cooperative sector.

He said committee members were responsible for translating the programme’s objectives into tangible benefits for cooperative societies and Nigerians.

Mr Abdulkadir urged members to embrace collaboration, innovation, transparency and professionalism in carrying out their assignment.

Members of the committee were drawn from key ministries, agencies, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, among others. 

(NAN)