• Project ends over ₦50 million diesel liabilities, says Rector

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has commissioned the connection of the Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management (KSITM) to the national grid.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the institute, was attended by members of the Governing Council, the Rector, the Special Adviser on Power and Energy, senior government officials, staff, and students.

Speaking at the event, Governor Radda described the project as part of his administration’s “Building a Future” strategy, particularly the energy component, which aims to make the state more self-sufficient in power and improve the performance of public institutions.

“We are here today at the State Institute of Technology and Management to commission the connection of this institution to the national grid. For more than ten years, this institute had no connection to the national grid and had to rely entirely on diesel to run its operations,” the Governor said.

“Today, we are commissioning this project, which has been completed under our ‘Building a Future’ strategy, particularly the energy component. Institutions of technology will not be left behind in this effort. we will continue to do everything possible to make the state self-sufficient in energy so that our institutions can function effectively and provide quality education to our people.”

Earlier, the Special Adviser on Power and Energy, Dr. Hafiz Ahmed, said the project was executed following the Governor’s approval of a detailed proposal for the institute, which had operated for more than a decade without stable electricity.

“Based on your political will, determination, and prudence, we carefully assessed the bids that were submitted. The proposals ranged from about ₦2 billion to the lowest of ₦1.2 billion. However, due to your insistence on value for money and responsible management of public funds, the project was eventually completed at a total cost of ₦270 million,” he said.

Dr. Ahmed noted that the outcome demonstrated the Governor’s commitment to prudence and accountability in the use of public resources.

“As I speak, the institute is now fully electrified—from the administrative block to the classrooms and staff quarters. We appreciate Your Excellency’s support and leadership, and we pray for your continued success,” he added.

In his remarks, the Rector of KSITM, Dr. Musa Ahmed Zayyad, described the commissioning as a historic moment for the institution, which had never experienced stable electricity since its establishment nearly ten years ago.

“Since the establishment of this institute, it has never experienced electricity. Because of this, the institute depended entirely on diesel generators, which led to accumulated liabilities of over ₦50 million, as diesel was even obtained on credit,” the Rector said.

He explained that upon assuming office, Governor Radda approved the solarisation of the institute and later granted additional approval for its connection to the national grid.

“One day, we received a call from the Special Adviser on Power informing us that Your Excellency had approved the institute’s connection to the national grid for the first time. Indeed, we cannot thank you enough. We can only pray for you, because we have almost lost count of the approvals you have granted to this institute,” he said.

The Rector also commended the Governor’s consistent emphasis on education as the top priority of his administration.

“Your Excellency, in your interviews, you always emphasize your priorities: first, education; second, education; and third, education. What you are doing for the education sector is unprecedented. We are deeply grateful for your support and leadership,” he added.

Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Katsina State

12th February, 2026