By Nasir Dambatt
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, is charting a bold new phase in the state’s partnership with the World Bank by proposing an ambitious expansion into three high-impact sectors: power, microfinance, and human capital development. This move builds on an already robust $885 million World Bank-funded portfolio, signalling Kaduna’s determination to deepen development outcomes for its over 10 million residents.
1. Power Sector – Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN):
With only about 45% of Kaduna residents having access to stable electricity, Governor Sani’s proposal to include Kaduna in the SPIN project is a game-changer. The initiative targets renewable mini-grids, solar irrigation, and off-grid energy systems, especially in rural areas. The target is to raise power access to at least 70%, with over 2 million beneficiaries in agriculture, SMEs, and households.
2. Microfinance Access – Resilient and Accessible Microfinance (RAM):
Current data shows that less than 12% of Kaduna’s informal sector and rural populace has access to structured financial services. Through the proposed RAM project, Sani hopes to raise financial inclusion to over 30%, unlocking affordable credit, savings tools, and insurance for over 500,000 small traders and women-led businesses, thus accelerating grassroots economic growth.
3. Human Capital Development – North West Regional Conference:
Human development indices in the North West remain among the lowest in Nigeria. By proposing a regional Human Capital Development Conference, to be hosted in Kaduna, Governor Sani seeks to unify policy, attract donor attention, and mobilize action on education, nutrition, and healthcare. The ripple effect could benefit more than 10 million people across the North West geopolitical zone.
World Bank Regional VP Mr. Ousmane Diagana commended Kaduna’s leadership, describing its coordination and impact delivery as a “model for donor engagement.” With this bold three-pronged expansion plan, Governor Uba Sani is reinforcing Kaduna’s status as a development laboratory—and a beacon of reform-driven governance in Nigeria.
