Radda commits N5bn to upgrade Katsina Craft Village, eyes world-class skills hub
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State, says his administration is investing ₦5 billion to upgrade the Katsina Youth Craft Village into a world-class Centre of Excellence for vocational training and innovation, as part of efforts to drive youth empowerment and skills development across the state.
Speaking at the Government House, Katsina, on Tuesday, during the two-day official visit of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Radda described Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the true engine of growth, creativity, and job creation, not only in Katsina but across Nigeria.
He noted that MSMEs contribute nearly 49 percent of the country’s GDP and account for more than 80 percent of employment opportunities, underscoring their central role in his government’s economic transformation agenda.
The governor disclosed that the state has moved from manual data gathering to a digital MSME database, designed to capture detailed profiles of entrepreneurs and their activities. “We want data that speaks directly to the needs of our entrepreneurs,” he said.
Radda also revealed that the state, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched non-repayable grants to support small business owners without access to formal credit. The initiative, he said, has already disbursed over ₦542 million to beneficiaries across various local governments.
On vocational training, Radda said trainees at the upgraded craft village now earn National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)-certified skills, while select beneficiaries have been sent to Brazil’s SENAI Institute for advanced technical training and global exposure.
Read also: Otu unveils social investment programmes for people-centred governance
He maintained that sustainable job creation must go beyond government employment, urging young people to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, and value creation. “Our goal is to raise job creators, not job seekers,” he stated, adding that “in today’s world, what you can do matters more than the paper you hold.”
Reflecting on his leadership philosophy, Radda said his administration is guided by sincerity, courage, and accountability, rather than politics. “I tell people the truth, what is possible and what is not. My mission is to make a real difference, not just to occupy office,” he said.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their continued support and collaboration with the Katsina State Government in advancing its development goals.
