The Katsina State Executive Council has approved a series of wide-ranging strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening grassroots enterprise development, expanding infrastructure, boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing solid minerals exploration, and reforming key sectors of the state economy.
The approvals were made on Wednesday during the 7th Regular Council Meeting (2026), held at the Red Chamber, General Muhammadu Buhari House, Katsina, and presided over by Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda.
Briefing journalists after the Council meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, said the decisions reflect the administration’s continued commitment to delivering people-centered governance under the “Building Your Future” Agenda.
The Director-General of KASEDA, Dr. Babangida Ruma, explained that one of the major approvals is the implementation of the Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency Direct Grant Programme targeting 62,000 nano, micro, and small enterprises across the 34 local government areas of the state.
“This programme is designed to provide working capital support to grassroots enterprises in order to strengthen their businesses and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens across the state,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, QS Umar Samaila, said the Council also approved the construction and asphalting of the Rahamawa–Gidan Shehi Namadi–Inwala Jan Gefe–Ring Road in Katsina metropolis, describing it as a major infrastructure project.
“The project will significantly improve road durability, ensure safer movement of people and goods, and stimulate economic activities within the urban corridor,” he added.
In the agricultural sector, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Lawal Aliyu Shargalle, said the Council approved the procurement of heavy-duty equipment for the rehabilitation, construction, and dredging of irrigation earth dams across the state.
“These machines will strengthen irrigation farming, livestock production, and fisheries development, thereby creating jobs and improving livelihoods across rural communities,” he said.
The Managing Director of KEMCO, Bello Doro, said the Council also approved the procurement of exploration and mining equipment for three sites at Tama, Tandama, and Kankara towns.
“The initiative will enable the Katsina Exploration and Mining Company to boost revenue generation, support economic diversification, and curb illegal mining activities that have contributed to insecurity in mineral-rich areas,” he noted.
The CDP Coordinator, Dr. Kamal, said the Council approved the free transportation and distribution of 2026 rainy season fertilizer across the state’s 361 wards.
“This approval is in line with government’s commitment to a transparent, timely, and farmer-centered distribution system that eliminates intermediaries and ensures subsidized fertilizer reaches genuine farmers directly at the grassroots,” he explained.
The Special Adviser on Qur’anic Education and Out-of-School Children, Dr. Tasiu Dandagoro, disclosed that the Council also considered reforms in the education sector, approving the implementation of recommendations on the reform of Almajiri, Tsangaya, and Islamiyya education into a model Khalwa Tsangaya Qur’anic education system.
“The approved recommendations include the establishment of four pilot Khalwa Qur’anic model schools—one in each senatorial zone and one female school in Katsina metropolis—as part of ongoing efforts to modernize and reform the Almajiri education system in the state,” he stated.
The approvals, according to the government, reaffirm Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s commitment to inclusive development, economic empowerment, infrastructure expansion, and human capital development under the “Building Your Future” Agenda.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
22 April, 2026
