Katsina @38: Radda’s Green Revolution

The 38th anniversary of Katsina State’s creation was always expected to be a celebration. What no one anticipated was the scale of transformation it would unveil. Instead of a routine commemoration, the day became a vivid declaration of ambition as Governor Dikko Umaru Radda turned a milestone of history into a showcase of what he calls “a carefully planned transformation, one that places reliable, sustainable and cost-effective energy at the heart of our economic future.”

From the early hours, the mood was electric. Residents, civil servants, investors, and  well meaning  individuals gathered under a bright northern sun, their anticipation matched only by the hum of newly installed solar panels and the faint whir of hybrid wind turbines in the distance.

It was more than a ceremony; it was a living demonstration of change already underway.

A Governor with a Plan

When Governor Radda finally stepped to the podium, his words carried the authority of results, not promises.

“Today, as we celebrate the 38th anniversary of the creation of our beloved state, not simply to mark the passage of time, but to open a new chapter in our story.

“ The projects we are commissioning are far more than pieces of infrastructure. They are the visible signs of a carefully planned transformation”, he said

From his first day in office, Governor Radda reminded the crowd, he had governed with a “clear development blueprint, rooted in prudence, discipline and transparency.” That blueprint devised less than three years ago has already reshaped the state’s energy landscape.

In a region where unreliable power has long strangled growth, he spoke of hospitals that no longer fear blackouts, classrooms that remain bright deep into the evening, and communities where clean water flows because pumps stay powered.

“It is not just about electricity,” he said, pausing as if to weigh each word. “It is about safeguarding health care services, keeping classrooms neat, and ensuring that clean water flows in our communities.”

The Numbers Behind the Vision

Behind Radda’s quiet confidence lies an extraordinary record. In barely two years and four months, his administration has deployed over 1,020 megawatts of solar power, paired with 10 megawatt-hours of battery storage to ensure consistency even when the sun sets.

Once-abandoned renewable assets, like the 10-megawatt Lumberimi Wind Farm, have been revived and paired with an additional 10 megawatts of solar in what the governor proudly called “a local and new model of clean energy production in Nigeria.”

He spoke, too, of a 1-megawatt mini-hydro system at Danja Dam, born from a partnership with French and Ocean Energy investors, and of the state’s first compressed and liquefied natural gas station, already 90 percent complete and set to provide cheaper, cleaner fuel for transport and industry.

These are not isolated projects, he stressed, but interlocking pieces of an energy puzzle designed to secure Katsina’s future.

From Paper to Power

The governor’s confidence had been well prepared by those who spoke before him. Dr. Hafiz Ibrahim, the Special Adviser on Power,  expressed gratitude with a clear-eyed account of hard work.

“Our mandate has been clear: to translate ideas into lasting solutions. My role, together with that of the dedicated team in the Department of Power and Energy, has simply been to follow the path you’ve set one defined by prudence, discipline and a deep concern for the welfare of every citizen”, he said

He looked across the crowd, pointing toward the freshly commissioned facilities. “The solar plant we are commissioning today, the hybridization and takeover of the Lumberimi Wind Farm, the mini hydro system, the first-ever CNG station nearing completion these are all products of your foresight.”

Dr. Ibrahim described a leader who does more than sign off on technical plans. “Your empathy for our rural communities, the patience with which you listen to technical advice, and the firmness with which you demand accountability have inspired every partner and every member of our team,” he told the governor.

He promised that the Department of Power and Energy would continue to “expand renewable energy, empower small businesses with standalone solar systems, and ensure that the green economic zone emerges as a beacon of sustainable industrial growth.”

His closing words were a blessing as much as a pledge: “May Almighty Allah continue to bless you with wisdom, strength and good health as you steer towards a future of prosperity and clean energy for all.”

A Call for Northern Leadership

The Technical Adviser on Renewable Energy to the Governor, Abdul Aziz Kabir Abdulahi, gave the initiative of its regional and national context.

“This event is not just about launching a project, it shows true leadership and a bold step toward steady progress. His Excellency has shown a clear commitment to improving people’s lives, providing steady electricity and protecting the environment for future generations”, Abdulahi said.

He spoke with particular pride about what these projects mean for ordinary people: “This project provides power to our hospitals, lighting our streets, supporting schools. This government puts its people first with ideas that bring innovation, strength and fairness.”

 Building an Industrial Future

Governor Radda made it clear that the projects unveiled on the anniversary are only the beginning. He described plans for a Green Economic Zone, an industrial hub powered entirely by sustainable energy.

“This zone will be a place where factories operate without fear of power outage, where clean energy lowers the cost of doing business, making Nigeria a preferred destination and making Katsina a more prepared destination among the sub-nationals for manufacturing and export,” he said.

He also promised an ambitious programme to equip small and medium enterprises with stand-alone solar systems, ensuring that artisans, traders, and workshop owners can run their businesses round the clock without the drag of high diesel costs or erratic supply.

“This effort will cut operating costs, raise productivity, give thousands of entrepreneurs the stability they need to expand their businesses,” he added, tying clean energy directly to economic empowerment.

A Model for Nigeria and Beyond

By the time the governor left the stage, the message was unmistakable. Katsina is no longer content to be a follower in Nigeria’s energy landscape. Its aggressive embrace of renewable power aligned with the national pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 positions it as a sub-national leader.

Dr. Ibrahim called it “a beacon of sustainable industrial growth.” Abdulahi went further, declaring that no other state in the north has matched Katsina’s achievements.

For investors seeking stability, for communities seeking reliable power, and for a nation seeking examples of practical energy transition, Katsina now offers a living model.

The Evening Glow

As dusk fell over the capital, the first of the newly commissioned solar lights flickered on in schools and clinics. The gentle hum of electric tricycles five hundred of them began to weave through the streets. Parents walked children home under bright lamps that, only a year ago, would have been dark.

The anniversary celebration slowly gave way to an ordinary evening, but the transformation was unmistakable. Katsina’s leaders had not merely promised a future powered by clean energy; they had switched it on.

Governor Radda captured the spirit best when he said, “Let this day stand as a testament to what we can achieve when ambition meets discipline and when promises are matched by action.”

In same manner, the General Manager rural eletricfication, Engr Abubakar Matazu at the weekend flagged off distribution and installation of solar devices  including organic fertilizer across the 361 wards of the state.

According to him, the solar are to be installed in Sangaya schools, hospital and other strategic areas as directed by the state governor, adding that representative from each wards have been trained on the installation of the device and how to be used.

In a region long defined by power shortages and untapped potential, Katsina now stands as a beacon a green dawn breaking across northern Nigeria, lighting a path that others are certain to follow.