January 11, 2026
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on Wednesday inducted 1,020 newly recruited frontline health workers to boost service delivery across Primary Healthcare Centres in Katsina State, in what he described as a major step toward rebuilding the state’s health system.
The induction ceremony, held at the Local Government Service Commission Conference Hall in Katsina, is part of the administration’s broader efforts to revitalise primary healthcare, which the governor said remains the foundation of the health sector.
“A healthy population is the backbone of development. That is why we placed Primary Healthcare at the centre of our agenda,” Radda said.
He disclosed that the state government has upgraded 268 Primary Healthcare Centres at a cost of over N26.7 billion, covering renovations, provision of medical equipment, tricycle ambulances, and improvements in water and sanitation facilities.
According to him, plans are underway to upgrade the remaining facilities to ensure that all 361 wards in the state have functional Level 2 Primary Healthcare Centres.
The governor also revealed that more than N3 billion has been released for nutrition programmes targeting women, children and vulnerable groups, while 724 health professionals have been recruited over the past two years to strengthen secondary healthcare services.
Radda stressed that the recruitment of the 1,020 health workers followed due process and was free from political interference.
“More than 75 percent of those recruited today were already serving as casual health workers. We rewarded loyalty, experience and dedication,” he said, assuring the new employees of continued government support in training and welfare.
Earlier, Chairman of the Recruitment Committee and Special Adviser on Local Government Inspectorate, Alhaji Lawal Rufa’i Safana, described the exercise as transparent and merit-based.
He said the committee received 9,045 applications for the 1,020 available positions. After screening, 3,658 candidates were shortlisted, while 3,445 eventually sat for examinations conducted across seven centres in the state.
Out of those, 2,309 candidates passed and were invited for interviews, with the best 30 candidates selected from each of the 34 local government areas to make up the final 1,020 recruits.
“We applied every rule without fear or favour. The Governor did not interfere. He encouraged fairness and justice,” Safana said.
He added that 754 of the successful candidates were former casual workers who were prioritised in recognition of their years of service.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, described the recruitment as a turning point for healthcare delivery in the state.
Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya
“These are not just numbers. They are frontline caregivers who will save lives and improve health outcomes,” he said, urging the new workers to serve with compassion and professionalism.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; the 34 local government chairmen under the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); members of the State Executive Council; community leaders; and development partners.
