Building on the success of its Financial Literacy Training for 100 Women, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, in collaboration with Bethel Candle of Hope for the Vulnerable (BCHV), organized a follow-up program focused on the formation of cooperative societies for women in Hayin Banki, Kaduna State. Held on February 10, 2025, at Bajju Hall, Hayin Banki, Kawo, Kaduna, this event marked a significant step in transitioning financial knowledge into practical economic empowerment.
The previous financial literacy training conducted by GPF Nigeria had equipped women with essential skills to manage money, save, and plan for financial growth. This follow-up initiative took the next logical step—helping the women organize into cooperative societies, pool resources, and access funding to launch and sustain small-scale businesses.
Women Cooperative Societies formed in Nigeria.
Recognizing the importance of financial independence for women, the program formed five cooperative societies, each focusing on a different business venture, such as grain storage, small-scale trade, and loan management. To ensure sustainability, these groups received one million naira in seed funding, enabling members to borrow funds for investment and economic growth.
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Country Director of GPF Nigeria, reiterated that financial empowerment is crucial for family stability and peacebuilding. He emphasized that the long-term goal of these cooperatives is not just economic prosperity but also strengthening social bonds and fostering peace through collaboration.
Similarly, Sheikh Haliru Abdullahi Maraya, the northern coordinator of GPF Nigeria, urged participants to use their businesses as platforms for service and societal transformation. He stressed that peace is best achieved when people work together toward common economic goals, setting aside religious and ethnic differences.
GPF Nigeria supports women in business with seed money.
One of the key impacts of this initiative was its role in fostering interfaith and interethnic unity. Women from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds—50 Christian and 50 Muslim women—joined to form and manage cooperative societies. By working towards shared financial goals, they broke down barriers and reinforced the principle of One Family under God. The Village Head of Hayin Banki, Mallam Mahmud S’ Galadima, highlighted the positive transformation the community had experienced through GPF Nigeria’s ongoing engagements. He expressed his gratitude, noting that the year-long interaction had improved social relationships and financial literacy among women, ultimately contributing to peacebuilding in the region.
The program participants expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity. Mrs. Deborah Adamu Sylvester, a cooperative member, shared how the financial literacy training had opened doors for her to gain financial stability. She emphasized that having access to seed money made the training more impactful, allowing women to apply what they had learned immediately. Similarly, a cooperative leader, Jamila Abdullahi, spoke about how the initiative strengthened her financial confidence and helped her navigate religious differences within her family. She shared how she had struggled with accepting her child’s choice of faith but, through the program, had learned to embrace interfaith coexistence.
The cooperatives have committed to regular meetings, financial accountability, and continued mentorship from GPF Nigeria to maintain momentum. By empowering women, strengthening families, and fostering unity, this initiative has demonstrated that financial literacy, when paired with structured economic opportunities, can be a powerful tool for community transformation. As Hayin Banki women embark on this journey of cooperative economic growth, their story stands as a model for other communities striving for peace and development.
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