Assessment of Member Participation in Annual General Meetings of Cooperative Societies in Plateau State

The annual general meeting is the supreme democratic organ of a cooperative society, yet low member participation in AGMs is a widespread problem that undermines cooperative governance and accountability. This study assessed the levels of member participation in annual general meetings of cooperative societies in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, and identified the factors influencing participation. A survey was conducted among 200 cooperative members from fifteen societies in Jos North, Jos South, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using frequency tables, percentages, and binary logistic regression. Findings revealed that actual AGM attendance ranged from 31 to 58 percent across surveyed cooperatives, with a mean attendance rate of 43.6 percent. Significant predictors of AGM participation included proximity to the meeting venue (OR 2.3), level of cooperative education (OR 3.1), and member confidence that their votes influenced decisions (OR 2.8). Dissatisfaction with meeting time, transport cost, and perceived irrelevance of agenda items were the primary barriers to attendance. Members who participated in AGMs were significantly more satisfied with cooperative management than those who did not (p < 0.01). The study concludes that improving AGM participation requires addressing structural barriers and building member confidence in participatory governance. Recommendations include advance notice improvements, venue rotation, and the introduction of agenda summaries in local languages to enhance member engagement. Keywords: annual general meeting, member participation, cooperative governance, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria