By our Reporter
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, has announced plans to upgrade the Ogun State Cooperative College to offer National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, while disclosing that his administration has disbursed over ₦1 billion in loans to cooperative societies, artisans, traders and small business owners.
Abiodun made this known on Wednesday during the 2026 International Day of Cooperatives celebration organised by the Ogun State Cooperative Federation Limited in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives in Ijebu-Ode.
The governor said the proposed upgrade would involve improvements to the college’s infrastructure and academic capacity to strengthen professional training in cooperative management.
He explained that the initiative was designed to produce skilled professionals capable of managing cooperative institutions, assessing risks and safeguarding members’ interests.
On financial support, Abiodun disclosed that more than ₦500 million had been disbursed to cooperative societies through the Ogun State Cooperative Federation under the government’s revolving loan scheme. Another ₦500 million, he said, had been provided through the Oko ‘Owo’ Irinse Dapo Soft Loan Initiative to support artisans, traders and small business owners across the state’s 20 local government areas.
According to him, the interventions were aimed at expanding access to affordable financing, strengthening small businesses and promoting inclusive economic growth.
The governor also pledged to provide land for cooperative societies to undertake agricultural and housing projects, noting that the initiative would create economic opportunities, boost food production and improve access to affordable housing.
He urged cooperative members to uphold accountability, unity and sustainable business practices to ensure that government interventions benefited their intended recipients.
Abiodun further highlighted the economic prospects of Ogun East, citing the discovery of significant crude oil deposits in Ogun Waterside, Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu local government areas. He also described the proposed Ogun Deep Seaport as a major project expected to attract investment, stimulate commercial activities and create jobs when completed.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Ademola Balogun, disclosed that Ogun State had approximately 14,700 registered cooperative organisations contributing to the state’s economic and social development.
Balogun said the organisations played important roles in promoting financial inclusion, enterprise development, unity and collective action at the grassroots. He commended the governor for the loan interventions and urged beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously to expand their businesses.
Similarly, the President of the Ogun State Cooperative Federation, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye, praised the state government’s support, describing the ₦500 million revolving loan scheme as a significant intervention for cooperative members.
Olaleye also called for the upgrading of the Cooperative College at Shasha, Iperu-Remo, to offer ND and HND programmes, saying the move would address manpower needs and expose trainees to modern cooperative management practices.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, represented by his Special Assistant on Cooperatives, Mr Victor Oyegoke, commended the state government for supporting cooperative development.
He said the Federal Government was also engaging cooperative societies to extend development initiatives to grassroots communities, particularly by supporting members involved in agriculture and small-scale businesses.
