Analysis of Record-Keeping Practices in Multipurpose Cooperative Societies in Borno State

Effective record-keeping is essential for the financial accountability and regulatory compliance of cooperative societies, yet many Nigerian cooperatives, particularly in the North East, operate with inadequate documentation systems. This study analysed record-keeping practices among multipurpose cooperative societies in Maiduguri, Borno State, North East Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, covering twenty registered multipurpose cooperatives in the Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere LGAs. Data were collected through structured interviews with cooperative secretaries and treasurers and document inspection of available records. The assessed dimensions included membership registers, minute books, cash books, loan ledgers, and annual reports. Results showed that membership registers were maintained in 90 percent of cooperatives but were not current in 55 percent. Cash books were kept in 75 percent of societies, though entries were incomplete or inconsistent in 53.3 percent. Loan ledgers were absent in 40 percent of cooperatives. No cooperative had produced a full annual report in the preceding financial year. Conflict-related disruptions between 2019 and 2022 had destroyed records in 35 percent of societies, from which full recovery had not occurred. The study concludes that record-keeping standards are severely deficient in Borno State cooperatives, partly reflecting institutional disruption from insecurity. Recommendations include cloud-based record systems for resilience, cooperative secretariat capacity-building, and state support for cooperative records reconstruction programmes.

Keywords: record-keeping, multipurpose cooperatives, Borno State, cooperative management, North East Nigeria