Alajo Shomolu

Abstract

Nigerians have always had their own cooperative banking systems known as Esusu and Ajo. This chapter draws on Gibson-Graham’s community economy theory, while working in Nigerian literature, to contextualize an ancient money cooperative called Ajo, which is a locally used term to explain the system that informally mobilizes savings and lends monies to help everyday Nigerians meet their livelihood needs. The author carried out 120 interviews by telephone and focus groups with Nigerian women in Ondo and Lagos states who use Ajo as an alternative bank to mitigate against the exclusion they encounter in commercial banks. The findings show that Ajo is rooted in trust and community, so that women can develop social supports and banking access to buy foodstuff and clothes, and to invest in their businesses and houses. In urban and rural areas, Nigerian women are adopting Ajo because joining the collective provides a sense of ownership, as well as a comradery with other women.