Governor Dikko Radda says stronger revenues are helping Katsina fund development, salaries and pensions without taking new loans

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda on Sunday credited President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms with strengthening the state’s ability to fund major projects, pay salaries and pensions, and meet other obligations without resorting to fresh borrowing.

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Radda made the remarks in Katsina while commissioning 45 solar-powered streetlights at the Tinubu/Dikko Assured 2027 Islamiyya Teachers’ Empowerment programme, where he said his administration had completed projects worth more than ₦30 billion without taking loans.

The governor described the development as evidence of what he called responsible leadership and prudent management of public resources.

“Today, there is no sector where we are taking a loan to execute a single project in Katsina State. We are paying pensions and meeting our obligations to the people of Katsina,” Radda said.

He contrasted the situation with previous years when, according to him, the state relied on borrowing to meet workers’ salary obligations.

Radda said the Radda Tinubu reforms relationship should ultimately be judged by their practical effect on citizens, rather than political rhetoric or competing narratives.

“Once leaders make promises to the people, they have a responsibility to fulfil those promises. Leadership is built on trust, not deception,” he said.

The governor specifically identified President Tinubu’s reforms and support to states, including the financial autonomy granted to local governments, as factors that had strengthened the capacity of subnational governments to deliver projects and meet recurrent obligations.

The remarks come amid continued debate over the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly the changes to the country’s fiscal structure and the increased revenues available to states and local governments.

Radda also praised the Tinubu/Dikko Assured initiative for focusing on grassroots development, particularly its support for teachers working in Islamiyya schools.

As part of the event, the governor announced a personal donation of ₦10,000 each to the 690 beneficiaries, amounting to ₦6.9 million, while calling on individuals, organisations and philanthropists to complement government programmes.

He urged citizens to be cautious about misinformation that could undermine genuine development efforts, while challenging political aspirants to offer practical plans for addressing the challenges facing residents.

Former Katsina State governor Aminu Masari, who also spoke at the event, said political leaders had a responsibility to place the welfare and development of citizens at the centre of governance.

Masari said those unwilling to acknowledge the achievements of President Tinubu and Governor Radda were “being hypocritical”.

He pointed to Federal Government infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other major road projects, arguing that improved transportation infrastructure could stimulate economic activity, create opportunities and strengthen agricultural production.

Masari also commended the rehabilitation and improvement of the Kaduna-Abuja Road, describing it as an example of the potential impact of effective leadership and infrastructure investment.

The Director-General of the Tinubu/Dikko Assured initiative, Umar Zayyad, said the organisation had expanded its programmes to support teachers and beneficiaries within the Islamiyya education system.

Zayyad said the initiative was inspired by President Tinubu’s leadership and recalled that the President had expressed satisfaction with the Radda administration during his visit to Katsina.

The Katsina governor’s comments come as states continue to adjust to changes in federal revenue distribution and the broader fiscal consequences of the Tinubu administration’s reforms.

For Radda, the ability to execute capital projects while maintaining salary and pension payments without new borrowing represents a significant measure of the state’s fiscal position.

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The governor’s emphasis on measurable outcomes also reflects his broader argument that the effectiveness of political leadership should ultimately be assessed through tangible improvements in people’s lives rather than promises made during political campaigns.