Vice-President Kashim Shettima arrived in Katsina State for a one-day official visit, commissioning three major road projects executed by the Radda administration. The projects include the dualised 4.80km Kofar Sauri – Central Mosque Roundabout Road, the dualised 2.40km Central Police Station Junction – Kofar Kaura Underpass Road, and the newly constructed 4.00km Filin Polo – Ring Road. These projects aim to improve infrastructure and enhance transportation in the state.
During his visit, Vice-President Shettima also launched 30 CNG hybrid buses and 200 Phase I electric tricycles at the Old Ministry of Works. This initiative seeks to boost mass transportation in Katsina State, providing residents with efficient and environmentally friendly transportation options. The launch of these vehicles is part of the administration's efforts to improve the state's transportation system.
In addition to the transportation projects, Vice-President Shettima flagged off the Community Investment Fund under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. This programme aims to empower women and promote financial inclusion in Katsina State. The initiative will provide over 40,000 women in the state with business capital, enabling them to establish and expand their businesses.
Vice-President Shettima commended Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for prioritising women and vulnerable households. He stressed that the administration's attention to citizens with limited access to economic opportunities reflects responsible and inclusive leadership. The Vice-President also urged beneficiaries to preserve the savings discipline, proper record-keeping, and collective responsibility that qualified them for the intervention.
Governor Radda highlighted that women's economic empowerment remains a central component of his administration's Building Your Future Agenda. He noted that investing in women strengthens families, communities, and the wider state economy. The Governor also disclosed that the state would explore sustainable approaches to extend complementary economic empowerment opportunities to men.
The World Bank representative, Matthew Verghis, emphasised that investing in women is an investment in Nigeria's economic growth. He noted that closing gender gaps in agriculture, self-employment, and wage employment could generate $22.9 billion, equivalent to 5.8 per cent of Nigeria's GDP. The $540 million Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up is being implemented across 32 states, building on an earlier programme that supported more than 460,000 rural women.
The programme's success will be measured by its impact on beneficiaries, including whether businesses become stronger, household earnings improve, employment opportunities increase, and women gain greater control over their economic decisions. The Vice-President and Governor Radda urged beneficiaries to invest the funds in viable economic activities, maintain proper records, and sustain the culture of savings, cooperation, and collective responsibility underpinning the programme.
Key points
- Over 40,000 women in Katsina State stand to receive business capital under the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up.
- The programme aims to promote financial inclusion and empower women in Katsina State.
- The launch of 30 CNG hybrid buses and 200 electric tricycles seeks to boost mass transportation in Katsina State.
