Organisational Management of Home Economics Cooperatives for Women in Ondo State

This study examines the organisational management practices of Home Economics-based cooperatives for women in Ondo State, South West Nigeria. Cooperatives provide structured platforms for skill monetisation, collective marketing, and financial inclusion, making them powerful instruments for applying Home Economics competencies in income-generating contexts. The study employs a descriptive survey design, targeting 180 women members and management officers of registered Home Economics cooperatives in Akure South and Owo local government areas. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions. Objectives include assessing governance structures, financial management practices, and member engagement within the cooperatives, and examining the relationship between management quality and cooperative performance. Recent literature from South West Nigeria documents management incapacity, poor record-keeping, and leadership conflicts as major impediments to cooperative sustainability among women's groups. Data were analysed using mean scores, chi-square, and thematic analysis. The Cooperative Management Theory anchors the study, emphasising democratic governance, member participation, and transparent financial management as cornerstones of cooperative success. Findings are expected to reveal governance deficits as the primary constraint on cooperative performance and member retention. Recommendations address the Ondo State Ministry of Commerce, cooperative unions, and Home Economics departments to provide management training and mentoring support to women's cooperatives. Keywords: cooperative management, women's cooperatives, Home Economics, income generation, Ondo State.