The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, has joined the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day 2026, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the growth, dignity and economic empowerment of women across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the governor described investment in women as a strategic step toward strengthening society and promoting sustainable development.

Governor Radda said his administration believes that empowering women yields significant benefits for families, communities and the wider society.

“When you give to women, the whole society gains. That is the meaning of this year’s theme — Give To Gain. In Katsina, we are not only saying it; we are putting it into action,” the governor stated.

He recalled that in January 2026, under the administration’s Building Your Future agenda, about 14,450 women drawn from the 34 local government areas of the state were empowered with various tools and resources tailored to their trades.

According to him, the beneficiaries received items such as working tools, grinding machines, deep freezers, poultry birds, feeds, grains, tailoring kits, cosmetics and cash support to enhance their businesses and livelihoods.

The governor further disclosed that two weeks before the programme, 1,000 adolescent girls were also supported under the same initiative, adding that in 2025 alone, more than 36,000 women across the state benefited from various empowerment programmes of the government.

Governor Radda also noted that during the “Where Influence Meets Investment” summit held in January, his administration announced an additional ₦500 million support package for women entrepreneurs aimed at helping them expand their businesses, develop skills and access wider markets.

He added that the state government has equally committed ₦4 billion in the 2026 budget as counterpart funding for the Federal Government’s Nigeria for Women Project, one of the country’s largest economic empowerment programmes for women.

The governor assured that his administration will continue to implement initiatives that will equip women in the state with the skills, opportunities and support needed to build sustainable livelihoods.

Governor Radda also urged women across the state to take advantage of the opportunities being created by the government to improve their economic and social wellbeing.

He congratulated women in Katsina State, Nigeria and across the world on the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day.