10,000 Households Benefit From Radda’s Data-driven Food Security Initiative

A total of 10,000 households and 30,000 children have benefited from the Katsina State government programme targeting food security, nutrition, income and expenditure management.

Governor DIkko Umaru Radda, who disclosed this at the World Statistics Day 2025, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to using data to drive inclusive development, adding that the state’s success in supporting vulnerable families was achieved through a data-backed initiative that identified household vulnerabilities and guided effective interventions.

“We don’t guess in Katsina, we plan with facts, good data helps us track progress, identify gaps, and ensure that no household or community is left behind”, he added.

The intervention, powered by the household vulnerability survey conducted under the Katsina State Bureau of Statistics, has enabled the government to channel resources directly to those most in need, particularly children at risk of malnutrition and families affected by economic hardship.

Governor Radda explained that the initiative is part of a broader agenda to institutionalise data-based governance across all sectors, stressing that the effort aligns with this year’s World Statistics Day theme “Driving Change with Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone.”

Under his leadership, the state has rolled out several key data infrastructure projects, including the Katsina State Data Portal, Statistical Master Plan (2025–2030), Digital Monitoring and Evaluation Dashboard (D-MED), and the Integrated Development and Statistical Framework (KSIDSF).

Accordingly, over 500 statistical officers have been deployed across all 34 local government areas, while 1,200 graduates have been trained under the Katsina Data for Development Initiative (KD4DI).

Through data-driven policies, Katsina has launched the Community Data Mapping Survey, covering more than 2,800 rural communities, guiding the formulation of the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Development Plan.

The government also established Data Desks for Women and Youth Affairs, ensuring gender-sensitive and inclusive planning. The Katsina Statistical Yearbook, Economic Indicators Dashboard, and GIS mapping of infrastructure now serve as reliable planning tools for the state.

Governor Radda noted that these efforts have not only enhanced planning accuracy but also earned Katsina national recognition in Subnational Climate Governance, being the only state with detailed meteorological data from 1987 to 2024.

Radda acknowledged the vital support of development partners, including the World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, EU, Canada, Norway, and GAVI in strengthening the state’s data systems and supporting its food and nutrition programmes.

As the world marks World Statistics Day 2025, Katsina State stands as a model for how quality data can drive sustainable development, particularly in addressing food insecurity, improving nutrition, and empowering vulnerable families.