In a bold initiative to address the climate crisis, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has pledged to dedicate 30% of the state’s annual budget to climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainability projects.
Speaking at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit, Governor Radda highlighted the urgent need to turn climate adversity into opportunity. “In the future, my administration will enact the Katsina Climate-Related Laws within 12 months to institutionalize accountability and create a stable policy environment for green investments,” Radda stated.
The governor also unveiled plans to launch a ₦5 billion Green Investment Fund, aiming to de-risk projects and attract private sector investment. “We are committing to creating 50,000 green jobs in Katsina by 2030,” he added, emphasizing jobs in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, afforestation, and climate-smart infrastructure.
Katsina, heavily impacted by desertification and erratic rainfall, has already lost over 20% of its arable land, with temperatures rising 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels. Governor Radda noted, “What we are showing the world is not just results; it is leadership.”
The federal government’s support was voiced by Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who praised the state for its proactive climate leadership. “Katsina is not just adapting to climate change but leading with innovation,” Lawal said.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, also commended Katsina’s commitment, underscoring the state’s potential to drive a green economy. “With bold action, Nigeria can lead Africa into a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future,” he remarked.
Governor Radda’s ambitious plan to tackle climate change through infrastructure development and job creation is poised to transform Katsina into a resilient, climate-smart state.
