Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has approved a solar power project expected to reduce the state government’s electricity and diesel costs by about ₦7 billion, as his administration targets 70 megawatts of power generation capacity by 2031.
According to a statement issued by the Katsina State Government, the approval was given during the 17th Regular Meeting of the Katsina State Executive Council for 2026, held on Wednesday at the Executive Chamber of the General Muhammadu Buhari House in Katsina.
The council approved the procurement and installation of Balance-of-System accessories for solar photovoltaic inverters and battery energy storage systems at 11 critical public facilities.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Power and Energy, Dr Hafiz Ahmed, said the facilities include Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, three waterworks and a booster station, General Amadi Rimi Hospital, Turai Yaradua Maternity Hospital, the Katsina State House of Assembly and the Katsina State High Court.
According to Ahmed, the 11 facilities account for 93.4 per cent of the state government’s total electricity expenditure.
The solar intervention has a total capacity of 20MW and is expected to reduce reliance on grid electricity and diesel-powered generators at the affected institutions.
Ahmed said the project is projected to save the state about ₦7 billion, adding that the expenditure that would otherwise be incurred on grid electricity and diesel generators could equal the project’s investment within approximately three and a half years.
Katsina targets 70MW by 2031
Ahmed also said Katsina had zero megawatts of power generation capacity when the Radda administration assumed office but has since achieved more than 30MW.
He said the administration is targeting 70MW by 2031 under an Integrated Resource Plan developed in partnership with Power Africa.
According to him, the solar project will provide more reliable electricity to critical public institutions while complementing broader efforts to strengthen essential public services.
₦10,000 allowance for 2,500 youths
The council also approved a ₦10,000 monthly allowance for 2,500 youths.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Surajo Yazeed Abukur, said the intervention is designed to support beneficiaries in improving their sources of income and strengthening their socio-economic wellbeing.
“The approval is aimed at empowering our youths, improving their sources of earnings and strengthening their socio-economic wellbeing as part of the benefits of democracy,” he said.
The council further approved the maiden Katsina State Inter-Wards Grassroots Football Tournament, titled the Governor Dikko Umaru Radda Youth Mobilization and Development Tournament.
Abukur said the tournament would promote grassroots sports participation, unity and teamwork while providing young people with constructive engagement.
Model schools and teacher development
On education, Commissioner Yusuf Suleiman Jibia said the council approved a contract for external works at the Special Model Secondary Schools in Jikamshi and Dumurkul.
The intervention is expected to facilitate the take-off of the schools and expand access to secondary education, particularly for children in rural communities.
The council also adopted recommendations from the Teachers Voice Survey on improving teachers’ English proficiency and the Instructional Leadership Training Programme.
Jibia said the measures are intended to strengthen curriculum delivery and learning outcomes, as well as support evidence-based teacher recruitment and equitable deployment of teachers.
Road equipment and rural mobility
The council approved the procurement of a brand-new Caterpillar asphalt paver for the Katsina State Roads Maintenance Agency (KASROMA).
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, QS Umar Samaila Rugoji, said the equipment would improve KASROMA’s capacity for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.
The council also approved the procurement of motorcycles for each of the 34 local government areas, aimed at improving access to rural and hard-to-reach communities and supporting grassroots service delivery.
It further approved a review of the additional contract sum for ongoing construction at Katsina House in Abuja following an increase in the scope of works and other project requirements.
Healthcare projects approved
The Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu, said contracts were approved for the renovation and construction of additional structures at the General Hospitals in Jibia, Batsari and Ingawa.
The council also approved the upgrade of the Primary Health Care Centre in Bindawa to a Maternal and Child Hospital, alongside renovation of the doctors’ quarters at General Hospital, Katsina.
Adamu said the projects are aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and bringing quality health services closer to residents.
The council also constituted a committee comprising relevant ministries, departments and agencies to advise the government on measures to regulate and mitigate environmental and infrastructural threats.
The decisions covered renewable energy, youth development, education, sports, healthcare, road infrastructure, rural accessibility and environmental management.
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