Economics of co-operative membership in wealth generation amongst women-led business units in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the role of cooperative societies in promoting the economic status of women in Enugu State of Nigeria. Data were obtained from 90 women cooperators across the three municipal zones of Enugu East, Oji River and Nsukka. Data obtained were analyzed with both descriptive statistics, T-test, and inferential statistics of regression. The results from the study revealed that socioeconomic variables age, marital status, education level, years of experience, of the respondents are determinant factor for the number of years in cooperative participation. It was also revealed that women cooperators in Enugu state were cooperators indeed and have a high participation extent in the cooperative activities. There was a significant average difference between income after joining the cooperative and income before joining the cooperative. Therefore, in a bid to strengthen the economic empowerment efforts of cooperatives, adult education as part of their empowerment programme should be initiated and promoted by cooperatives. Cooperatives should seek for more innovative skills and programmes that will boost economic status of the women cooperators.  Also, in lieu of the positive effect of cooperative membership on income level of women from the study, women should be encouraged to join cooperative societies if they want to improve their economic status.