REPOSITIONING COOPERATIVE LEGISLATION FOR COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Repositioning co-operative legislation for co-operative development in Nigeria aimed at making co-operative legislation stronger, understandable and enforceable for the growth of co-operative movement in the country. By doing this, co-operative achievements in Nigeria in pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial era were unraveled. Some notable and practiced co-operative legislations before and after independence were identified. So also the present co-operative decree which is the co-operative principle law and known as Nigerian co-operative societies decree, number 90, of 1993 was dissected. This dissection pictured on the content, page, parts and sections of the decree. Some new inclusions in the decree were made crystal clear as well as the constraints of co-operative legislations in repositioning co-operative development in Nigeria. Finally, some recommendations were made which include the consultation of co-operative experts and engaging them in drafting of a new co-operative Act, elimination of errors, omissions and faulty spellings and usage of words, and sentences, specific requirements for the registration of proposed co-operative societies. Director of co-operatives statutory and non statutory duties should be reviewed, there should be standards for the appointment of directors of co-operatives, ministry of co-operatives should be created at both federal and state levels, employment of co-operative professionals to handle all co-operative matters in the country. Also stated as recommendation are that co-operative societies should not be restricted from using some names or economic activities provided such names and activities are legal and regular promotional activities to be enhanced to encourage awareness on co-operatives and its benefits.