KATSINA — Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has approved the installation of solar-powered lighting in Tsangaya schools across Katsina State, the construction of 2,000 standardized business kiosks in all 34 local government areas, and the institutionalization of climate change budget reforms as part of efforts to improve education, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen climate-responsive governance.
The approvals were granted during the 9th Regular Meeting of the Katsina State Executive Council for 2026, held on Wednesday at the Upper Chamber of the General Muhammadu Buhari House, Katsina, and presided over by the governor.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, said the decisions reflected the Radda administration’s commitment to implementing people-centred policies that align with its development agenda.
The Special Adviser on Power and Energy, Dr. Hafiz Ahmed, announced that the Executive Council approved the procurement and installation of 30 solar-powered lights in Tsangaya schools across each of the state’s 361 political wards.
He said the initiative is aimed at improving learning conditions within the Almajiri education system, particularly during evening study hours, while also enhancing safety and access to education.
According to him, the project will create a more conducive learning environment and support ongoing efforts to modernize and integrate the Almajiri education system.
The Council also approved the award of a contract for the fabrication and installation of 2,000 standardized modular kiosks under the Katsina Road Corridor Enterprise Infrastructure Programme.
The Director-General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), Dr. Babangida Ruma, said the kiosks would replace makeshift roadside structures currently used by nano and micro enterprises, providing traders with safer, more durable, and well-organized business spaces.
He explained that the kiosks would be constructed with galvanized steel frames, reinforced structures, lockable doors, and proper ventilation to ensure durability and security for business operators.
Ruma added that the initiative would not only improve the appearance of urban road corridors but also strengthen the resilience of small businesses and boost economic activities across the state.
In another major decision, the Executive Council approved the adoption and institutionalization of Climate Change Budget Tagging across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Councils.
Dr. Hafiz Ahmed said the reform would apply to all climate-related programmes, projects, procurement processes, and public expenditures, enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public financial management while strengthening the state’s response to climate change.
He noted that the policy would also improve socio-economic resilience, increase agricultural productivity, enhance water resource management, and support sustainable development across key sectors.
Ahmed recalled that Governor Radda recently became the first Nigerian leader to deliver a keynote address at the ChangeNOW 2026 Summit in Paris, France, where he highlighted climate transformation initiatives and showcased Katsina State’s renewable energy agenda, including plans to revitalize the Lambar Rimi Wind Farm.
He said the latest approvals demonstrated the administration’s determination to translate its international engagements into tangible development projects that directly benefit the people of Katsina State.
The decisions, he added, underscore Governor Radda’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and economically vibrant state through strategic investments and forward-looking reforms.
