Katsina hosts national stakeholders as governor highlights 33,000 women beneficiaries in state-led efforts
Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar — July 2, 2025:
Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment, as he addressed key stakeholders at the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) Scale-Up Summit held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, 2 July in Katsina.
The high-level summit, which drew delegates from Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Gombe, and Ogun States, marked a significant step in Nigeria’s effort to scale up women’s participation in economic and social development across the country.
Welcoming participants, Governor Radda described the gathering as more than symbolic, calling it a “declaration for inclusive development.”
“This summit is not just a meeting; it is a declaration that the time has come for inclusive development and community transformation driven by empowered women,” he said.
The governor commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the World Bank for their partnership on the NFWP initiative and revealed that over 33,000 women in three local government areas of Katsina State are already benefiting from the project.
“We are committed to matching federal funds to sustain and expand this initiative,” Radda stated.
Governor Radda emphasized that the marginalization of women is both a moral and economic failure, arguing that gender inclusion leads to stronger and more resilient communities.
“In Katsina, we’ve seen how small investments in women-led cooperatives have transformed households and built local resilience. These stories inspire us to expand our efforts,” he noted.
Under his leadership, Katsina State has adopted a series of gender-sensitive policies, including expanding access to girls’ education, providing grants and vocational training for female entrepreneurs, improving maternal healthcare, and partnering with traditional institutions to address harmful cultural practices that hinder women’s progress.
He called on other participating states to adopt practical, well-resourced strategies to ensure the NFWP’s success on a national scale, stressing the importance of training and mentorship, access to microfinance, data-driven monitoring, and strong partnerships with civil society and financial institutions.
“This summit must go beyond dialogue — it must lead to clear, measurable results,” the governor insisted.
Governor Radda praised the resilience of Nigerian women, whom he credited as the driving force behind the summit’s relevance.
“Your courage, resilience, and leadership are the reason this summit exists. We hear you, we see you, and we are walking this journey with you,” he told the audience.
In closing, the governor assured development partners of Katsina State’s full support for the Nigeria for Women Project and thanked the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and all stakeholders for their roles in making the summit a success.
“Our commitment is firm,” Radda said. “We see this as part of our broader vision for a fairer, stronger, and more inclusive society — where every woman can live freely, work proudly, and succeed fully.”
