Gov Dikko Umaru Radda

By Suleiman Sa’ad Ribadu

In an era where climate change threatens the stability of economies and the survival of communities, Katsina State has found in His Excellency, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, Ph.D., CON, a leader of rare vision and decisive action.

His bold and far-reaching environmental policies have earned him a place not just as a state governor, but as Nigeria’s Governor of Green Transformation.

Governor Radda has redefined subnational climate governance through the establishment of the *Katsina State Climate Change Council (KSCCC)* a multidisciplinary and multisectoral institution chaired by the Governor himself, with representatives from critical ministries, agencies, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. This council provides policy direction, technical oversight, and strategic coordination on all climate-related interventions in the state.

At the heart of his administration’s green vision is the Katsina Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA), a comprehensive blueprint built around four pillars: Climate-Smart Agriculture, Renewable Energy Leadership, Ecosystem Restoration, and Green Industrialization. This agenda aims to harmonize economic development with environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

To support the implementation of KAGGA, the Governor launched the *₦5 billion Green Investment Fund* to catalyze public-private partnerships and climate financing. This fund is designed to drive scalable investment in solar power, green housing, water conservation, waste-to-energy, afforestation, and sustainable agribusiness ventures.

Governor Radda’s commitment to renewable energy is unmatched. His administration has replaced diesel-powered streetlights with over 63 kilometers of solar-powered lighting built Nigeria’s first off-grid solar mini-grid at a Government House, and powered public health facilities like the Katsina General Hospital  under the Energizing Healthcare Programme. Stand-alone solar battery systems have also been deployed in MDAs to reduce carbon emissions and cut governance costs.

Under his leadership, Katsina State has set a 300MW renewable energy target by 2030, with 90% expected from clean sources. These efforts are aligned with the *Nigeria Energy Transition Plan* and the new Electricity Act, positioning the state for decentralized energy investments.

The Governor’s achievements also extend to climate-smart agriculture. In the 2025 budget, over ₦81.8 billion was allocated to agricultural development, with the target of increasing productivity by 75% and achieving 50% value addition to farm produce—expected to generate over 2,500 green jobs. Another ₦52.8 billion was earmarked for water resource management, with the goal of harvesting 25% of rainfall within the state for irrigation, fisheries, and microclimate protection.

Through the Katsina ACReSAL project, His Excellency flagged off a 10,000-tree planting campaign across schools and public spaces. Primary school pupils each received a seedling and ₦5,000 support to nurture it transforming them into young environmental stewards.

Furthermore, Governor Radda initiated the *Sallah Climate Change Competition, rewarding innovation among youths and promoting environmental awareness. Thousands of women and young people have been trained in waste-to-wealth techniques, smart farming, and clean energy skills, creating what the Governor proudly calls green champions of tomorrow.”

To institutionalize sustainability, the administration passed a Green Procurement Obligation, requiring all infrastructure contractors to incorporate climate-resilient design and tree planting in their project delivery.

This bold step makes Katsina the *first state in Nigeria* to enforce mandatory green procurement on infrastructure projects.

At the national and international level, Governor Radda’s efforts have earned widespread recognition. He was honored as Climate Action Ambassador”by the Ibrahim Shehu Shema Centre for Renewable Energy Research* at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University an award acknowledging his leadership in deploying renewable energy as a tool for climate resilience.

His Special Adviser on Climate Change, *Professor Mohammed Al-Amin*, a globally respected environmentalist and urban sustainability expert, was appointed to further drive the climate agenda. Prof. Al-Amin brings over 25 years of experience in climate policy, environmental planning, and international development partnerships.

Governor Radda has backed these policies with concrete actions: from launching *climate cooperatives to train 15,000 young people annually, to ensuring the mainstreaming of climate literacy into schools and community programs, and establishing systems for early warning, afforestation, and desertification control.

Through his “Building Your Future Agenda”, Governor Radda has prioritized the creation of green jobs and the empowerment of women, youth, and marginalized communities. Every tree planted, every borehole commissioned, every solar system deployed reflects a singular determination to build a *resilient and prosperous Katsina.

Indeed, the name Dikko Umaru Radda now stands as a national reference point for environmental leadership. He does not treat climate policy as a trend, but as a duty, a duty for current and future generations. He is not just leading Katsina through green transformation; he is guiding Nigeria’s climate future from the frontlines.

As his  Senior aide   on Climate Change, I can  proudly affirm that Governor Radda’s work is an inspiration to all who believe that governance must serve both people and the planet. He is not just a state executive he is a true Climate Champion, a Green Advocate and Africa’s Governor of Sustainability.

Hon. Suleiman Sa’ad Ribadu is

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Climate Change