Katsina gov pledges 30% of annual budget to climate action

Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina, has pledged to allocate 30 percent of the state’s annual budget to climate-resilient infrastructure as part of efforts to establish a Green Investment Fund.

Radda made the pledge on Wednesday at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit in Abuja with the theme: ‘Turning climate challenges into development opportunities in Katsina state’.

“We will allocate 30 percent of our annual budget to climate-resilient infrastructure and establish a Green Investment Fund to de-risk projects,” the governor said.

He also revealed that the state government would kick-start the fund with an initial N5 billion and put in place mechanisms to attract private capital.

The governor unveiled the Katsina State Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA). The agenda includes initiatives such as expanding drip irrigation, promoting drought-resistant crops, and scaling up agroforestry practices to protect farmers from climate shocks.

“My administration will enact the Katsina Climate-Related Laws within 12 months to institutionalise accountability and create a stable policy environment for green investments,” he said.

Highlighting some of the state’s achievements, Radda disclosed that 120 solar-powered boreholes worth N2.4 billion had been completed to address water scarcity and promote irrigation, with 60 more under construction.

“This means more water for farmers, more food on our tables, and more income for families,” he said.

“We’ve already planted over 100,000 economic trees and are nurturing three million more, spread across schools, institutions, and shelterbelts.

“We also invested N5.9 billion in rainwater harvesting structures, turning seasonal floods into a year-round blessing for irrigation.

“We plan to electrify 500 rural communities with solar mini-grids by 2030, bridging the energy access gap that currently affects 60 per cent of our rural population,” he said.

“KAGGA expands our participation in the Great Green Wall Initiative with an ambitious target of 10 million trees planted by 2030. These trees will focus on indigenous species that thrive in our conditions.

“Additionally, we are launching a ‘Waste-to-Wealth’ programme to turn the 500 tons of plastic waste generated daily in our state into eco-friendly products, driven by youth entrepreneurs.”

Speaking at the summit, Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, praised the initiative, saying Katsina is demonstrating leadership in climate action within Nigeria’s Sahel region.

“However, this region is also rich with opportunities that can turn adversity into advantage through strategic climate action and green investments,” he said.

“The summit presents a unique platform to attract responsible private sector investment that aligns with both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.

“Our generation has a singular responsibility which is building a greener, more equitable, and climate-resilient Nigeria.

“This cannot be achieved by the Federal Government alone. We need strong, visionary states like Katsina to rise as champions of climate justice and green growth.”