he Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN) has called for sweeping reforms in the country’s cooperative sector to unlock its potential as a driver of grassroots development, economic empowerment, peace and sustainable development.

The federation made the call ahead of its 10th National Cooperative Summit and Exhibition, scheduled to hold in Abuja from October 6 to 9, 2026, with the theme, “Cooperative Reform: Unlocking Cooperative Potential for Peace, Sustainable Development and Economic Transformation.”

The summit is expected to bring together cooperative leaders, policymakers, development partners, entrepreneurs, researchers and other stakeholders to deliberate on measures to reposition the sector and make it more effective in contributing to national economic development.

The federation, in a statement signed by its President, MershakHannatu Paul, said cooperatives had remained a critical vehicle for socioeconomic advancement by providing affordable credit, encouraging savings, supporting agriculture and small-scale businesses and promoting democratic participation.

It, however, said the sector’s full potential remained largely untapped, making comprehensive reforms imperative.

According to the federation, the summit will critically review the current state of cooperative legislation and regulation in Nigeria and develop proposals capable of strengthening the sector.

It said the gathering would also explore ways of unlocking the economic potential of cooperatives in agriculture, housing, transport, manufacturing and the informal sector.

The federation said it would further examine the connection between cooperative development, peace-building, social cohesion and sustainable livelihoods, particularly at the grassroots.

It stressed the need for stronger partnerships among cooperative societies, government agencies, financial institutions and international development organisations to expand access to capital, markets and technical support.

The four-day event will feature keynote addresses, technical paper presentations, panel discussions and workshops, alongside a national exhibition where cooperative societies and enterprises from across the country will showcase their products and services.

The exhibition, the federation said, would provide opportunities for market linkages, networking and knowledge sharing, while enabling cooperative enterprises to connect with potential investors, financial institutions and consumers.

The summit is also expected to produce actionable recommendations that could guide government policy and legislative reforms in the cooperative sector.

The federation urged cooperative societies, apex bodies, government ministries and agencies, development partners, financial institutions, non-governmental organisations, the media and members of the public to participate actively in the summit.

It said the gathering represented an opportunity to chart a new direction for the cooperative movement and strengthen its contribution to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

“Together, let us unlock the potential of cooperatives for peace, sustainable development, and economic transformation,” the federation said.