The Lagos State Government has called for inclusive, sustainable and innovative reforms in Nigeria’s cooperative sector at the 7th National Cooperatives Awards, Symposium and Exhibition 2025.
The event, hosted by Lagos State in partnership with the Cooperative Rating Society of Nigeria (CRAYSoN), brought together leaders of cooperative movements from across the country under the theme, “Renewed Hope for Cooperatives: Harnessing the Cooperatives Reform and Revamp Programme to Foster Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”
Speaking at the forum, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose, urged cooperative stakeholders to adopt a bold reform agenda anchored on three core principles of inclusivity, sustainability and innovation.
She said inclusivity and democratic participation were essential to preserving the foundational values of cooperatives, including voluntary membership, democratic control and member-driven governance.
According to her, sustainability must cut across economic, social and environmental dimensions, enabling cooperatives to generate value while delivering broader social benefits, promoting environmental stewardship and strengthening long-term national resilience.
Bada Ambrose also emphasised the need for innovation and adaptability, calling on cooperatives to embrace digital tools, modern management practices and continuous learning through strengthened training institutions and peer networks.
“These principles will guide the policy pillars that will shape the next phase of cooperative development in Nigeria,” she said.
The commissioner noted that Lagos State, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has continued to pursue progressive policies to strengthen cooperative development and promote an inclusive economy.
She highlighted the state’s digitisation drive, particularly the deployment of the Cooperative Management Information System (CMIS), which has improved the registration, monitoring and evaluation of cooperatives in a more seamless, transparent and efficient manner.
According to her, the platform is helping the state to build a stronger cooperative database that will guide policymaking, improve service delivery and reduce bottlenecks that hinder the growth of genuine cooperatives.
The event was attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, who supervises cooperative services, as well as other key stakeholders, and featured award presentations, symposium sessions and exhibitions aimed at strengthening the role of cooperatives in Nigeria’s economic development.
