The critical role of cooperatives has been described as not merely a social or savings organisation but strategic economic institutions capable of driving business growth and ensuring that members' products and services effectively meet market demands.

This was the submission of the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Iskeel Olanrewaju Saka, in a keynote address when he declared open the year 2026 Mandatory Continuous Professional Training (MCPT) put together by the Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria (ICOPRON) for Cooperative Professionals and other stakeholders in the South West, held at the Ifeoluwa CMU Limited Hall, Idi- Aba, Abeokuta.

According to him, the theme of the training, "Cooperatives: Supporting Market-Led Production for Members' Business", was not only timely but apt, as cooperative societies can enhance their relevance, competitiveness and sustainability in today's dynamic economic environment if they focus on market-led productions.

He urged all the stakeholders to maximize the opportunity at their disposable by learning actively and applying the acquired knowledge to all their operations, and added that it is through supportive policies and committed membership that the cooperative movement can be strengthened and its full potentials harnessed for the overall economic development of the State and the nation at large.

He commended the Institute's commitment at ensuring that cooperative professionals and stakeholders across the country benefit from continuous professional development, as it is essential for driving the expected growth and development within the cooperative ecosystem.

"The Ogun State Government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun remains passionate about and highly supportive of the cooperative sector because of its proven capacity to stimulate both rural and urban economic growth. A recent and notable example of this commitment is the provision of a N500 million revolving fund to the State Cooperative Federation", the HoS said.

In an opening remark, the National President, ICOPRON, Dr. Bunmi Fajobi said the MCPT, which holds year in year out since 2022, was designed specifically to equip members as professionals for the task of adequately managing and providing the required standards for the practice.

He revealed that the National Council on Cooperative Affairs has approved ICOPRON as the only organ for professionalising cooperative practice and has thus been included in all statutory committees in charge of cooperative governance in the country and called for the continued cooperation of all the professionals.

In separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Ademola Balogun, the President, Ogun State Cooperative Federation Limited (OGSCOFED), Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye and a professor of Economics, Prof. John Aihonsu, said the training was apt, timely and commendable as it was meant to translate to professional efficiency within the State and the country at large.

They enjoined the participants to take good advantage of the opportunity to network, innovate and adopt modern techniques in discharging their professional duties, as enabling environment would continue to be provided to make the cooperative sector thrive and impact the economy positively.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of award to the Head of Service, Mr. Iskeel Saka and the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Ademola Balogun for their support to the movement.