Katsina State government has secured approval for Africa’s first-ever Equestrian City, a multi-billion-naira investment initiative, to reshape the cultural and economic landscape of the northern state.
This feat was confirmed after high-level engagements between Governor Dikko Radda and the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko.
The project was further solidified during strategic discussions involving the minister of arts, culture, tourism and creative economy, Barr Hannatu Musawa, and the executive director of the Katsina State History and Culture Bureau, Dr Kabir Ali Masanawa.
Described as a transformative cultural and sporting hub, the Equestrian City will feature a National Grand Durbar arena, horse racing tracks, an Equestrian Academy, a Polo Club and the International Headquarters of Mounted Games, the first of its kind in West Africa.
A statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula, said the initiative reflects the administration’s deep commitment to preserving Katsina’s cultural identity while unlocking new economic and tourism-driven opportunities.
“This project will not only celebrate our heritage but also provide thousands of jobs and attract global attention to Katsina,” he stated.
The city will also include Contemporary Art Villas and Duplexes designed with traditional Arewa aesthetics, further blending modern development with indigenous culture.
Dr Masanawa hailed the governor’s leadership, calling the approval a major win for the region. “Governor Radda’s visionary approach has delivered a legacy project that will place Katsina on the global equestrian map,” he said.
The project is expected to bolster cultural tourism, stimulate regional development and serve as a model for integrating heritage with economic growth in Africa.
