Katsina Approves Youth Resettlement, Grants For 6,200 Small Businesses

The Katsina State Executive Council has approved a series of major initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, small business support, agriculture and tax reforms, as part of efforts to boost economic growth and social development in the state.

The decisions were reached on Wednesday during the 6th Regular Council Meeting of 2026 held at the Red Chamber of the General Muhammadu Buhari House and chaired by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Salisu Zango, said the approvals reflect the administration’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits to the citizens under its “Building Your Future” agenda.

The commissioner for Higher Technical and Vocational Education, Sani J.B. Daura, said the council approved the procurement of resettlement packages for 1,662 graduates of the Katsina Youth Craft Village in Katsina, Daura and Malumfashi senatorial zones.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at equipping the beneficiaries with starter packs to establish businesses, become self-reliant and reduce youth restiveness across the state.

In a major boost to micro and small enterprises, the director-general of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency, Babangida Rumah, revealed that the council approved the branding of 6,200 roadside shops and businesses across the state’s metropolis and all 34 local government areas.

The businesses are expected to benefit from the agency’s Direct Grant Programme following a comprehensive corridor mapping exercise to identify eligible micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

On agriculture, the commissioner, Lawal Aliyu Shargalle, disclosed that the council approved the procurement of improved seeds from reputable agro-dealers for distribution to farmers at subsidised rates ahead of the 2026 farming season.

He said the move was designed to increase agricultural productivity by ensuring that farmers have access to quality inputs and necessary support services.

Also, the chairman of the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service, Isyaku Muhammed, said the council approved the domestication of the 2025 Tax Reform Act to align with the state’s tax system.

He added that a draft bill on consolidated revenue law and harmonised rates and levies had been forwarded to the state House of Assembly for consideration.

According to him, the reform will ease the tax burden on low-income earners while enhancing transparency and efficiency in revenue collection.