EXCERPT FROM THE STUDY
In Nigeria, cooperatives were introduced by the colonial during the First World War. These cooperatives which were consumer in nature were used by the colonial masters to ration essential commodities. This cooperative was restricted to only white colonial masters. It was in 1930‟s that the first attempt was made to start a genuine cooperative movement in Nigeria. The British government having successfully introduced cooperative in India, in 1904 tried to do the same in Nigeria. In 1933, the then colonial government appointed Mr. C.F. Strickland to study the possibility of introducing cooperatives into Nigeria. Mr. Strickland submitted his report in April 1934 with recommendation that Nigeria is overdue for a cooperative law. His report was wholly accepted by government and in 1935, the Nigerian Cooperative Society Ordinance was enacted and in the following year 1936 regulations were drawn up to guide the running of cooperative societies. In 1945, the Gbendu Cocoa Marketing cooperatives were formed. The essence being to organize cocoa farmers so raw materials can be shipped to Britain. Cooperatives spread like wide fire through out the country. Within this came the problem of administration, i.e. running these societies effectively and efficiently.