Katsina, December 11, 2025 – In a bold move underscoring Governor Dikko Umaru Radda's "Building Your Future" blueprint, the Katsina State Executive Council convened its 18th regular meeting on December 10, 2025, approving a sweeping array of multi-sector initiatives designed to propel infrastructure upgrades, enhance public welfare, and foster sustainable economic growth across the state's 34 local government areas. Chaired by the governor himself, the session marked a pivotal step in addressing longstanding challenges in water access, agriculture, housing, education, and urban planning, while reinforcing commitments to youth empowerment and healthcare security. These approvals, totaling billions of naira in investments, reflect the administration's holistic approach to transforming Katsina from a region plagued by insecurity and resource scarcity into a beacon of inclusive development in northern Nigeria.
The centerpiece of the meeting's outcomes was the endorsement of the Small-Town Water Scheme in Tsagero, Rimi Local Government Area (LGA), a critical intervention aimed at combating chronic water scarcity in rural communities. This project, which involves the construction of boreholes, treatment facilities, and distribution networks, is expected to serve over 5,000 residents initially, with phased expansions to neighboring wards. Officials emphasized that the scheme aligns with broader state efforts to achieve universal access to clean water by 2030, building on earlier procurements of water treatment chemicals approved in August 2025 for deployment across all state water facilities. "Clean water is the foundation of health and productivity," stated Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdullahi Muhammad, during the post-meeting briefing. "This initiative will not only reduce waterborne diseases but also empower women and children by freeing up hours previously spent fetching from distant sources." Early estimates peg the project's cost at ₦450 million, with completion targeted for mid-2026.
Complementing these efforts, the Council greenlit the construction of the Dikko Radda Cassava/Gari Processing Centre in Batsari LGA, a flagship agricultural venture poised to revolutionize value addition in Katsina's dominant crop sector. Katsina, renowned for its fertile savanna soils, produces over 1.2 million metric tons of cassava annually, yet much of it rots due to inadequate processing infrastructure. The new facility, spanning 10 hectares and equipped with modern milling, drying, and packaging lines, will process up to 50 tons daily, creating at least 200 direct jobs and ancillary opportunities in logistics and marketing. This approval builds on the state's Agricultural and Community Development Project, originally supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) since 1990, which has historically focused on alleviating population pressures on fragile lands. Governor Radda, in his remarks, highlighted the centre's role in export diversification: "By processing our cassava into gari and other derivatives, we can tap into West African markets, generating revenue to fund further rural upliftment." The project, budgeted at ₦1.2 billion, is slated for commissioning in the third quarter of 2026, with private sector partnerships already in negotiation to ensure long-term viability.
Urban renewal took center stage with the adoption of the Reviewed Katsina, Funtua, and Daura Master Plans, a comprehensive urban development framework that charts growth trajectories for the state's three major emirates through 2040. The plans incorporate smart city elements, including IoT-enabled traffic management, green spaces, and flood-resilient drainage systems, drawing from the ongoing Katsina Smart City Initiative launched in 2023 with a ₦15 billion allocation. This initiative has already deployed over 500 IoT sensors in urban centers, reducing response times to emergencies by 40%. Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr. Faisal Kaita, described the review as "a living document that integrates community feedback to prevent haphazard expansion." Key features include zoning for industrial clusters in Funtua and heritage preservation zones in Daura, addressing rapid urbanization that has strained housing and sanitation. Implementation will commence with pilot zoning in Katsina metropolis, where recent dual carriageway expansions—like the N3.5 billion Kofar Soro-Kofar-Guga roundabout—have eased congestion and boosted commerce.
In a parallel push for healthcare fortification, the Executive Council established an interministerial task force to oversee private health institutions, ensuring compliance with national standards amid rising demand. This follows the August 2025 upgrade of the Mai’adua Comprehensive Health Centre to a full General Hospital at ₦1.3 billion, which enhanced maternal and child services in a high-risk zone. The task force, comprising representatives from health, justice, and local government ministries, will conduct quarterly audits to curb quackery and integrate private facilities into the state's insurance scheme. Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, Commissioner for Health, noted that these measures complement the ₦703 million fortification of 14 frontline general hospitals in insecurity-prone LGAs such as Kankara, Faskari, and Jibia. "With banditry threats receding—thanks to the 2,500-strong Community Watch Corps—our focus shifts to preventive care," Zango affirmed. The initiative is projected to improve immunization rates by 25% within the next year.
Economic reforms received a significant boost through the adoption of the 2026 Business Enabling Reform Action Plan, a strategic roadmap to streamline regulations and attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Modeled after national benchmarks, the plan targets ₦100 billion in new inflows by easing business registration to under 48 hours and offering tax incentives for agro-processing ventures. This aligns with the November 2025 Katsina Economic & Investment Summit, where memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed with firms like Dar Al Halal for halal industries and ABIS Group for livestock processing. The summit, themed "Building the Future of Katsina’s Economy," showcased the state's ₦489 billion transformation vision, emphasizing cotton, sugarcane, and hides exports. "These reforms will unlock our potential as a trade gateway to the Sahel," said Commerce Commissioner Yusuf Haruna Jirdede.
Youth and skills development emerged as welfare priorities, with approvals for procuring advanced equipment for the Katsina Youth Craft Village and a new phase of the "Building Your Future" empowerment program. The Craft Village upgrade, costing ₦350 million, will introduce CNC machines and digital design labs, training 1,500 youths annually in vocational trades. This extends the October 2025 youth initiatives that engaged participants across all LGAs in technical skills. Housing welfare advanced with contracts for 150 affordable units and 350 serviced plots in the metropolis, tackling a deficit exacerbated by influxes from rural areas. Funded at ₦2.8 billion, the development incorporates solar-powered amenities, echoing the state's rural road completions totaling 250 km since 2022.
Education reforms dominated the welfare agenda, with the launch of a workforce rejuvenation scheme for rural teachers—offering ₦30,000 per term allowances—and a Special Teacher Development Training Programme across the three senatorial zones. These build on the September 2025 policy adoption for non-state schools and the ₦723 million external works at Radda's Special Model Secondary School. Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Badamasi Lawal Charanchi, projected a 15% uplift in rural retention rates. "Motivated teachers mean empowered children," he stated.
Governor Radda, wrapping up the session, reiterated his administration's debt clearance—N70 billion for inherited projects—and local autonomy push, enabling LGAs like Katsina to deliver assets such as upgraded ICT centers and primary health facilities. Recent commissions, including a N34 billion Health Imaging Centre, signal momentum. As Katsina navigates post-insecurity recovery, these multi-sector greenlights promise equitable progress, with stakeholders hailing the blend of fiscal prudence and visionary planning.
