Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, said his administration has invested more than N120 billion in the last two years to transform the education sector.
Radda stated this during the signing of the Multi-Year Work Plan (2025-2027), between the state government and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
The work plan is aimed at improving the lives of children through enhanced education, healthcare, nutrition, and social services for the next three years.
The governor said the N120 billion investment in the education sector covers constructing and rehabilitating classrooms, equipping science and technical institutions, and recruiting qualified teachers.
He said the state government was committed to reducing the number of out-of-school children by providing quality education and youth empowerment programs.
“We are committed to reducing the number of out-of-school children by providing access to quality education and scholarships, particularly for tertiary students and youth empowerment programs.”
In healthcare, the governor also said his administration has introduced a Residency Training Program and sponsored foreign scholarships for medical students.
According to him, “Our Medical College is progressing steadily, with students already in their 300 level—we expect to graduate our first locally trained doctors within four years.”
He said the state has secured medical supplies valued at over $10 million from World Medical Relief and an additional 10 containers
of advanced medical equipment—including MRI and CT scan machines—from Project CURE, USA.
Radda highlighted innovative measures implemented by his administration, including a cloud-based electronic health records system and biometric clock-in systems for Primary Healthcare Center workers to enhance transparency and improve service delivery.
“We have successfully upgraded and renovated 158 Primary Healthcare Centres with new medical equipment, solar-powered electricity, water supply, and tricycle ambulances,” he said, adding that more PHCs will be rehabilitated this year to ensure every ward has a fully functional facility.
He said the state distributed 361 motorcycles to frontline health workers to boost immunization coverage and committed over ₦500 million in counterpart funding to combat acute malnutrition in partnership with UNICEF.
On the Multi-Year Work Plan, he assured of the state government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations, including counterpart funding, to ensure the successful implementation of this plan.
“We will do our part to make this collaboration effective, impactful, and result-oriented. We owe it to our people, and particularly to our children, to ensure that every kobo invested leads to meaningful change,” he added.
The work plan was jointly developed by the UNICEF Kano Field Office and Katsina State Ministries, Departments, and Agencies as part of the ongoing Federal Government of Nigeria–UNICEF Country Programme of Cooperation (2023–2027).
Earlier, Dr. Serekeberehan Seyoum, Health Manager at UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, commended Governor Radda’s administration for its unwavering commitment to children’s welfare.
“Under Your Excellency’s visionary leadership, this commitment has grown even stronger. The state consistent allocation of resources to critical programs in health, nutrition, education, and social protection,” Dr. Seyoum stated.
Seyoum commended Katsina for already taking bold steps, such as implementing the Hadaka integrated Mobile Outreach, and MCH Track in the health sector, positioning the state as “a leader in development-driven governance.”
The UNICEF Manager emphasised that the new work plan “is not just a document—it represents a shared vision for a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for every child in Katsina.”
“I respectfully urge the Katsina State Government to consider increasing domestic resource allocation to key sectors such as health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, child protection, and social welfare. Doing so will help build resilient systems that are self-reliant and sustainable,” Seyoum said.
Seyoum warned that polio remains a significant threat, calling for mobilisation of resources and raising awareness to reach every corner of the state.
“Community leaders, religious figures, and local government officials must all be engaged and held accountable to ensure no child is left unvaccinated,” he said.
“We also call on the government to prioritize child-sensitive social protection interventions aimed at reducing multiple deprivations among children in rural and urban areas.”
