Adamawa State has been acknowledged nationally for its strides in cooperative development after the Adamawa State Chapter of the Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON) received a Recognition Award at the 2026 National Conference held in Lagos. The award was presented during the five-day conference, which ran from November 2 to 6, 2026, at ASSBIFI Hall, Ikeja, Lagos. The event celebrated the state's efforts in advancing and fortifying cooperative institutions throughout Adamawa.
The delegation sent to represent the state was headed by Dr. Yusufu Peter Adilbakirya, who serves as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development. The conference, themed 'Strengthening Nigerian Cooperatives for Economic Resilience, Financial Inclusion and National Development: The Role of Stakeholders,' gathered government officials, cooperative professionals and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for improving cooperative administration and amplifying the sector's contribution to national economic growth.
Key discussions during the conference focused on professionalism, digitalisation, effective management, good governance and the adoption of international best practices aimed at enhancing the efficiency, transparency and sustainability of cooperative societies. In his address to participants, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security highlighted the indispensable role of cooperative societies in agricultural development, economic empowerment, financial inclusion and food security.
Participants also underscored the importance of transparent leadership, sound institutional management and digital innovation in bolstering accountability and service delivery within the cooperative sector. Among the notable moments of the conference was the presentation of the Recognition Award to the Adamawa State Chapter, which drew considerable attention to the state's ongoing commitment to strengthening cooperative development.
The recognition underscores the increasing significance of cooperative institutions in fostering entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities, expanding access to finance and supporting sustainable economic growth across Adamawa State. The conference also served as a platform for participating states to exchange experiences, share best practices and explore innovative approaches to cooperative management and development.
Adamawa State's participation is expected to reinforce ongoing initiatives aimed at building a more inclusive, professionally managed and sustainable cooperative sector capable of driving economic empowerment and improving livelihoods throughout the state.