Governor Radda Announces N500m Support For Women Entrepreneurs

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment, announcing an additional ₦500 million to support women entrepreneurs across the state.

The Governor made the disclosure at the high-level “Where Influence Meets Investment” Summit, organised by the Katsina Inner Wheel Development Initiative (KIWDI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The event brought together women leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and development partners to explore pathways for inclusive economic growth, leadership development, and skills acquisition.

Governor Radda described the summit as a strategic platform for advancing women-focused development and said he deliberately attended and remained throughout the programme to demonstrate his support.

“Any initiative that focuses on the development of women deserves my full attention and support. Developing women is, quite simply, developing society,” he stated.

The Governor explained  further that the additional ₦500 million fund would be dedicated to enhancing skills, expanding businesses, and creating sustainable livelihoods for women across Katsina State.

“Let me assure you today that I stand firmly with you, and my administration will continue to support initiatives that empower women.

“Influence without investment is inspiration without impact. Investment without influence is capital without conscience. But when influence and investment converge, economies grow, societies become more equitable, and nations rise,” he said.

He warned that marginalising women limits societal progress, noting that women are central to enterprise, family stability, and community development.

The Governor also highlighted deliberate efforts to increase women’s representation in governance, including appointments into the State Executive Council.

Governor Radda outlined recent achievements of his administration, revealing that over 14,000 women were empowered last week, 1,000 adolescent girls received support two weeks earlier, and more than 36,000 women benefited from empowerment programmes last year.

He added that the state has invested over ₦4 billion in the Nigerian Women Project, while urging financial institutions to create inclusive pathways that allow women to access funding with dignity and ease.

Stakeholders Commend Initiative

In her welcome address, KIWDI Founder, Hajiya Amina Zayyana, said the summit positions women as investors, innovators, and problem-solvers.

“This is about more than encouragement. It is about training, digital inclusion, market access, and systemic support,” she said.

Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, Hadiza Yaradua commended the Governor for recognising women as vital economic assets and highlighted the HAPI App, a digital ecosystem offering mentorship, digital literacy, and seed capital to women nationwide.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Aisha Aminu Malunfashi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to structured, result-driven programmes, citing Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) across all local governments, MSME funding access, and ongoing skills development initiatives.

Former Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman Baba, described women’s empowerment as a governance necessity, noting that societies that exclude women weaken their institutions and development potential.

The summit attracted representatives of federal agencies, members of the Katsina State Executive Council, business leaders, women entrepreneurs, and development partners, further underscoring the growing momentum behind women-driven economic development in the state.