…Disburses N1bn loans to SMEs, others
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to upgrade the Ogun State Cooperative College to enable it award National Diploma, ND, and Higher National Diploma, HND, certificates.
The governor also disclosed that his administration had disbursed over N1 billion in loans to cooperative societies, artisans, traders and small business owners across the state.
Abiodun disclosed this on Wednesday at 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.
He said the proposed upgrade of the institution was aimed at strengthening the cooperative sector through professional manpower development and improved academic training.
According to him, preparations were already underway to improve the infrastructure and academic capacity of the Ogun State Cooperative College to enable it offer ND and HND programmes.
He said: “Preparations are advancing for infrastructure improvement at the Ogun State Cooperative College to position it to award National Diploma and Higher National Diploma qualifications.
“Our objective is to prepare skilled professionals who can manage institutions, assess risks and protect members.”
The governor said over N500 million had been disbursed to cooperative societies through the Ogun State Cooperative Federation under the state’s revolving loan scheme.
He added that another N500 million had been provided through the Oko ‘Owo’ Irinse Dapo Soft Loan Initiative for artisans, traders and small business owners across the 20 local government areas of the state.
Abiodun said the financial interventions were part of his administration’s efforts to expand access to affordable credit, strengthen small businesses and promote inclusive economic growth.
He also pledged to make land available to cooperative societies for agricultural production and housing projects.
According to him, the initiative would create more economic opportunities, boost food security and improve access to affordable housing for residents.
The governor described cooperative societies as important vehicles for economic development, noting that they enable members to pool resources, access finance and embark on productive ventures that may be difficult to undertake individually.
He urged cooperative members to embrace accountability, unity and sustainable business practices to ensure that government interventions achieved their intended objectives.
Abiodun also highlighted the economic potential of Ogun East, saying the discovery of crude oil deposits in Ogun Waterside, Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas could further expand the state’s economic opportunities.
He described the proposed Ogun Deep Seaport as another strategic project that would attract investment, boost commercial activities and create employment opportunities when completed.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Ademola Balogun, said Ogun State had about 14,700 registered cooperative organisations contributing to the economic and social development of the state.
Balogun noted that cooperatives were not only vehicles for providing financial support to members but also platforms for promoting unity, enterprise development and collective action at the grassroots.
He commended the governor for supporting the cooperative movement through the revolving loan scheme, urging beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously to expand their businesses.
Also speaking, the President of the Ogun State Cooperative Federation, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye, commended the state government for its support, describing the N500 million revolving loan as a major intervention for members.
Olaleye appealed to the government to upgrade the Cooperative College at Shasha, Iperu-Remo, to offer ND and HND programmes.
He said the upgrade would help address manpower shortages in the cooperative sector and expose trainees to modern practices in cooperative management.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, represented by his Special Assistant on Cooperatives, Mr Victor Oyegoke, also commended the state government for its support for cooperative development.
He said the Federal Government was engaging cooperative societies as part of efforts to take development initiatives to grassroots communities, particularly by supporting members involved in agriculture and small-scale businesses.
