Katsina Governor Dikko Radda
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has highlighted the strides his administration has made in strengthening institutions and boosting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the state over the past two years.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina, the governor explained that his government established a ₦5.5 billion MSMEs Fund through the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) to promote entrepreneurship and skills development.
According to him, the initiative focuses on training, financial support, and the creation of a digital database to track and develop MSMEs across the state.
> “I have been driving MSMEs for this country for the last six years. That has opened my eyes very well on the importance of MSMEs,” Radda said.
“You know they contribute over 49 per cent of the nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of this country. They are the engine of growth, providing over 80 per cent of jobs in this country.
So, you don’t have any means or way to create jobs than through MSME development.”
He added that empowering small businesses directly improves the welfare of citizens.
> “If you improve MSMEs, naturally you are improving the living standard of the people because you are increasing their income, life expectancy, reducing malnutrition and poverty, while enhancing wealth generation,” he said.
Radda noted that young people in Katsina are increasingly embracing entrepreneurship through innovation and technology.
> “A lot of them have shown great talent in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and about 80 per cent of them are young women. With just a little support, they can build successful enterprises,” he explained.
“This is our target—rather than young people roaming around with impressive CVs searching for jobs that don’t exist.”
The governor further revealed that his administration had invested ₦5 billion in upgrading the Katsina Youths Craft Village, implementing a five-year strategic plan, and setting up common facility centres to enhance skill acquisition and productivity.
Beyond MSME development, Radda said his government is also prioritizing institutional reforms, infrastructure growth, renewable energy projects, and strategic partnerships to drive sustainable economic expansion.
> “Before we got into office, we made our priorities very clear and we have remained focused on delivering what we promised the people,” he said.
“Our goal is to transform the system—clean it up, make it more responsive, and change the mindset of people toward governance and public service. Without reforming the institutions, you cannot achieve real transformation.”
Radda also disclosed that, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the state provided grants totaling ₦542 million to selected local governments to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and address humanitarian challenges.
> “That partnership with UNDP has helped us reach vulnerable communities and strengthen resilience where it is needed most,” he added.
(NAN)
