When the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) names a governor as “Teacher-Friendly,” it’s not just a title, it’s a recognition of genuine impact.
In 2025, that distinction shines on the Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, whose visionary reforms have repositioned education as the foundation of the state’s development agenda.
At the 2025 World Teachers’ Day Celebration in Abuja, Radda received the Golden Award of Excellence for Education and Teacher Friendliness, a national acknowledgment of his administration’s achievements in teachers’ welfare, educational access, and learning innovation.
From the onset of his tenure, Governor Radda declared education the bedrock of Katsina’s progress. His government has gone beyond mere infrastructure to invest deeply in human capital development, modern pedagogy, and digital learning.
Under his leadership, over 7,000 teachers were newly recruited, alongside 2,000 contract staff and 2,230 additional educators deployed through the World Bank, assisted AGILE Project. Beyond expanding the workforce, Radda’s administration has trained more than 18,000 teachers in digital literacy, classroom management, and contemporary teaching methods an unprecedented investment in professional development.
This approach reflects his conviction that “no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers.”
Infrastructure Renewal: From Policy to the Classroom
Governor Radda’s reforms are visible across the state. His administration has rehabilitated 150 schools, renovated over 200 classrooms, and commissioned three new model schools, creating conducive environments for teaching and learning.
To further modernize education, the government has distributed 1.2 billion worth of furniture, established 10 ICT centres, and deployed 20,000 tablets to students, ushering Katsina’s public schools into the digital era.
Through the AGILE initiative, 75 new secondary schools have been established, extending educational opportunities to rural and underserved communities where poverty or distance once kept children out of school.
Teacher and Student Welfare
The NUT’s award also honours Radda’s compassion-driven governance. His expansion of the School Feeding Programme, now serving over 200,000 pupils daily, has boosted enrolment and reduced dropout rates.
His administration’s focus on girls’ education has granted over 15,000 scholarships to female students, reinforcing global goals of gender equity.
For teachers, timely salaries, improved working conditions, and sustained training programs have reignited morale across Katsina’s classrooms. The impact is measurable, Katsina was ranked the best-performing state under the BESDA-AF TESS Project, earning $12.18 million (18.7 billion) for education performance nationwide.
Radda’s leadership style stands out for its hands-on approach. He is known for unannounced visits to schools, a rare practice among public officials.
During an inspection at Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa, he personally examined classrooms, dormitories, and meal quality, even tasting students’ food to ensure standards. Similarly, at Government Girls Technical and Commercial College, Charanchi, he interacted with students and staff, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to welfare and quality education.
These visits send a clear message: accountability starts at the top.
Smart Schools and an Inclusive Future
Radda’s forward-looking vision is evident in the construction of Smart Secondary Schools across Katsina’s senatorial districts. Designed with digital infrastructure, inclusive learning spaces, and special facilities for students with disabilities, these schools embody the future of education—technology-driven, equitable, and accessible to all.
By investing in inclusive education, Radda ensures that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive in the digital economy.
The NUT Golden Award of Excellence goes beyond personal recognition, it affirms Katsina’s rise as a national model of educational transformation. In a region often associated with low literacy and underinvestment, Radda’s achievements tell a different story: one of hope, reform, and possibility powered by responsive leadership.
Award Ceremony: Radda Dedicates Honour to Teachers
At the colourful ceremony held at Eagle Square, Abuja, Governor Radda expressed gratitude to the NUT and dedicated the award to all teachers in Katsina State.
He revealed that his administration has allocated over 25% of the state budget to education in the last two years, underscoring his government’s unwavering commitment to the sector.
“We conducted a recruitment exercise unprecedented in Nigeria over 7,000 teachers at once.
“We are introducing rural incentives to motivate teachers in hard-to-reach communities because developing education means developing our future”, he noted.
The governor lauded teachers as nation-builders, pledging continued support: “Without teachers, there would be no nation and no Katsina State. We will continue to make your lives better.”
The event, themed “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” was attended by top education stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, and NUT President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, who praised Radda’s leadership as exemplary.
A Legacy Beyond Awards
As the applause fades, one truth endures: Malam Dikko Umaru Radda has redefined what it means to be teacher-friendly. His blend of innovation, empathy, and accountability has positioned Katsina State as a beacon of educational progress in Nigeria.
For students, parents, and teachers, the NUT award is more than a trophy, it is validation that leadership with vision can truly build not just schools, but futures.
