Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has launched a groundbreaking partnership with Guardians Worldwide (GWW) to explore carbon credit opportunities under the state’s Katsina Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA).
The high-level meeting, held on Wednesday in Abuja, marked the governor’s first official assignment following a recent minor accident, underscoring his resilience and unwavering commitment to Katsina’s sustainable future.
At the meeting, Governor Radda described carbon trading as a “new frontier” in climate finance that Katsina must tap into.
“This initiative speaks directly to our long-term ambition to build a resilient economy anchored on sustainability, innovation, and international collaboration,” he said.
The delegation from Guardians Worldwide included representatives from Brazil, Ms. Débora Lira de Lacerda, Ms. Lucimar Prata dos Santos, and Nigeria, led by Mr. Kamilu Hassan Hamza, Director of GWW Africa. They were joined by Alhaji Ahmad Muazu, among others.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Office of the Special Adviser on Banking and Finance, Hajiya Bilkisu Sulaiman Ibrahim, in collaboration with key MDAs.
The goal is to integrate Katsina into the global carbon market through verifiable carbon credit projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Guardians Worldwide, which operates in over seven countries, including the UK, Brazil, Chile, Kenya, and Canada, expressed a strong commitment to supporting Katsina in designing a roadmap for carbon credit registration, measurement, verification, and trading.
Governor Radda emphasised the initiative’s broader economic and social impact: “This is not just about planting trees or cutting emissions. It is about building an economy where nature is valued, innovation thrives, and our people benefit from a greener future.”
Both parties agreed to form a technical team immediately to begin baseline environmental assessments and develop a tailored carbon credit registry framework for Katsina State.
Also in attendance were Professor Al-Amin (special adviser on climate change), Dr Faisal Umar Kaita (commissioner for lands), Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji (principal private secretary), and Haroun Abba (governor’s lead consultant).
