By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times
Thursday, January 29, 2026

The Katsina State Government has clarified that the proposed integrated housing, agriculture and aquaculture project to be executed in Radda and Kankia will not cost the state government a single kobo, contrary to speculations circulating on social media.

This clarification was made on Thursday during a press briefing addressed by the Head of the Katsina State Civil Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, alongside senior government officials and representatives of the private firms involved in the project.

Alhaji Bawale explained that the state government only signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—and not a construction contract—with Cosmos Investment Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing, the Katsina State Government, and CESA Investment Limited, for the construction of about 3,000 housing units across selected parts of the state, integrated with agricultural and aquaculture activities.

He stressed that the initiative is a private-sector–driven investment aimed at job creation, economic growth and youth empowerment, adding that the Katsina State Government will not commit any public funds to the project.

“The investors came with the proposal. It is not a contract, and it will not take a single kobo from the Katsina State Government,” Bawale said.

According to him, the role of the state government is limited to providing land at designated locations, while beneficiaries—who will be selected from the state’s 34 local government areas—will participate in farming and aquaculture activities under the supervision of the investing company.

He added that participants would receive training in modern agricultural techniques, earn monthly stipends, and eventually take full ownership of the houses they occupy upon successful completion of the programme and fulfillment of its conditions.

“At the end of the programme, those who meet the requirements will permanently own the houses,” he stated.

Alhaji Bawale said the press briefing was convened specifically to debunk claims that the state government planned to spend billions of naira on housing construction.

In his remarks, the General Manager of the Katsina State Housing Authority, Dr. Aliyu Rabi’u Kurfi, described the project as an “economic city,” noting that it enjoys full support from the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.

Dr. Kurfi disclosed that several states had sought to host the project, but Katsina was selected due to the state government’s commitment and effective collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing.

He reiterated that the state’s contribution is limited to land provision and guarantees, which he described as standard practice in major global investment projects.

“Providing land and guarantees is a legal and conventional requirement and does not translate into spending public funds,” he said.

He also dismissed allegations that ministries or agencies had been directed to release funds for the project.

Also speaking, Adam Ya’u, local partner to Aspire USA Incorporated, described the initiative as the first of its kind in West Africa, with an investment running into hundreds of billions of naira.

Ya’u said Katsina State was chosen in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which approved the project for implementation across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, with Katsina representing the North-West.

He explained that Kankia was selected as one of the pilot locations due to its proximity to the Katsina and Kano airports, which would ease the export of agricultural and aquaculture products.

According to him, the project is expected to curb rural–urban migration, create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods, regardless of age or educational background.

“A retiree can benefit, just as an 18-year-old can. Our goal is to transform the lives of ordinary people and revive rural communities,” he said.

He added that more details would be made public as the project progresses.

The briefing ended with a call on the media to assist in sensitising the public and dispelling any doubts or misinformation surrounding the project.