In a bold step toward reshaping grassroots governance, Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has disbursed a total of ₦3.6 billion directly to all 361 wards across the state’s 34 Local Government Areas.
Each ward has received ₦10 million to initiate and manage development projects tailored to their needs.
The unprecedented initiative, executed under the Community Development Programme (CDP), is hailed as the most expansive community empowerment effort in Nigeria’s recent history.
“This programme is Governor Dikko Radda’s visionary initiative to turn Katsina State into a community-driven development powerhouse,” said Dr Kamaludeen Kabir, the CDP coordinator, while briefing the press in Katsina.
According to Dr Kabir, the disbursement aims to tackle long-standing inefficiencies in local infrastructure maintenance by giving communities financial autonomy to address minor yet critical needs before they escalate.
“In the past, a faulty borehole or water pump would be left unattended because the repair was not prioritised. This led to complete breakdowns and massive replacement costs. With this programme, communities can immediately intervene with available funds,” he said.
Since its launch just under seven months ago, the programme has achieved full coverage, with every ward having ₦10 million in its account for developmental use.
Dr Kabir emphasised the scheme’s flexibility, allowing each community to determine its most pressing needs, such as repairs to schools, healthcare equipment, or water systems.
“For ease of administration, we have adopted the 361 wards as our operational definition of communities. Each ward is considered a distinct micro-society with its own shared values and immediate priorities,” he explained.
The CDP is structured around a three-tiered committee system to ensure transparency, strategic oversight, and local participation.
Governor Radda chairs the Steering Committee, which provides top-level leadership, while the Joint Planning Committee, led by Deputy Governor Faruq Jobe, coordinates resources and delineates responsibilities.
At the grassroots, Ward-Level Community Committees are responsible for on-ground project execution and monitoring.
“This multi-layered governance system reflects the seriousness Governor Radda attaches to empowering communities and ensuring every naira works for the people,” Dr Kabir noted.
Observers and stakeholders have praised the initiative as a model for participatory governance, with many calling for its replication in other states facing similar development bottlenecks.
With this initiative, Governor Radda has placed Katsina on the path of inclusive development, where governance is not only felt but also shaped at the grassroots.
