.. Targets 70MW Power Generation by 2031 —
Katsina State Government has approved the procurement and installation of Balance-of-System accessories for Solar PV Inverter and Battery Energy Storage Systems at 11 critical public facilities across the state.
The approval was given on Wednesday during the 17th Regular Meeting of the Katsina State Executive Council for 2026, held at the Executive Chamber of the General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) House, Katsina, and presided over by Governor Radda.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Jibia, who coordinated the briefing, said the Council considered several memoranda and approved interventions covering renewable energy, youth development, education, sports, roads, healthcare, rural development and environmental protection.
This was disclosed by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State on a statement September 30, 2026
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Power and Energy, Dr Hafiz Ahmed, said the Council approved the procurement and installation of the Balance-of-System accessories required for the solar PV and battery energy storage systems at the 11 facilities.
He listed the facilities as Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, three waterworks and a booster station, General Amadi Rimi Hospital, Turai Yaradua Maternity Hospital, the Katsina State House of Assembly and the Katsina State High Court.
According to Dr Hafiz, an assessment showed that the 11 facilities account for 93.4 per cent of the Katsina State Government’s total electricity expenditure.
He explained that the solar intervention, with a total capacity of 20 megawatts, is expected to substantially reduce expenditure on grid electricity and diesel-powered generators at the affected institutions.
Dr Hafiz said the project is projected to save the state about ₦7 billion, adding that the expenditure otherwise incurred on grid electricity and diesel generators could equal the investment in the intervention within approximately three and a half years.
He further disclosed that when the Radda administration assumed office, Katsina had zero megawatts of power generation capacity but has now achieved more than 30 megawatts.
He said the administration is targeting 70 megawatts by 2031 under the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), developed in partnership with Power Africa, to guide the state’s response to its energy requirements.
According to him, the solar intervention will provide more reliable electricity to critical public institutions while complementing ongoing efforts to strengthen essential public services.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Engr. Surajo Yazeed Abukur, said the Council approved a monthly allowance of ₦10,000 for 2,500 youths.
He said the intervention is intended to support beneficiaries in improving their sources of income and strengthening their economic wellbeing.
“The approval is aimed at empowering our youths, improving their sources of earnings and strengthening their socio-economic wellbeing as part of the benefits of democracy,” he said.
On education, Commissioner Jibia disclosed that the Council approved the award of a contract for external works at the Special Model Secondary Schools in Jikamshi and Dumurkul.
He said the intervention would facilitate the take-off of the two schools and expand access to quality secondary education, particularly for children in rural communities.
“The objective is to ensure the successful take-off of the two Special Model Secondary Schools and expand access to quality education, especially for children in rural communities,” he said.
Jibia also disclosed that the Council adopted the recommendations of the Teachers Voice Survey on strengthening teachers’ English Language proficiency and the Instructional Leadership Training Programme.
He said the measures would strengthen curriculum delivery and improve learning outcomes, while supporting evidence-based teacher recruitment and the equitable deployment of teachers to areas with high demand.
On sports development, Commissioner Abukur announced the Council’s approval for the maiden edition of the Katsina State Inter-Wards Grassroots Football Tournament, titled “Governor Dikko Umaru Radda Youth Mobilization and Development Tournament.”
He said the tournament would promote grassroots participation in sports while encouraging unity, teamwork and social interaction among young people across the state.
“The tournament will provide an avenue for our youths to participate in organised sporting activities, promote unity and teamwork, and contribute to reducing youth restiveness through constructive engagement,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, QS Umar Samaila Rugoji, disclosed that the Council approved the procurement of one brand-new Caterpillar (CAT) asphalt paver for the Katsina State Roads Maintenance Agency (KASROMA).
He said the equipment would strengthen KASROMA’s capacity for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance across the state.
The Council also approved a review of the additional contract sum for the ongoing construction of additional structures at Plot 80, Cadastral Zone, Central Business District, Abuja, Katsina House, following an increase in the scope of works and other essential project requirements.
In another rural development intervention, the Council approved the procurement of motorcycles for each of the 34 Local Government Areas of the state.
The motorcycles are expected to improve mobility to rural and hard-to-reach communities, particularly areas where conventional transportation is difficult, while supporting economic activities and grassroots service delivery.
The Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu, disclosed that the Council approved contracts for the renovation and construction of additional structures at the General Hospitals in Jibia, Batsari and Ingawa.
He said the Council also approved the upgrade of the Primary Health Care Centre, Bindawa, to a Maternal and Child Hospital, as well as the renovation of the Doctors’ Quarters at the General Hospital, Katsina.
“The approvals are aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and strengthening the delivery of quality health services closer to the people across the state,” he said.
In a further step towards addressing environmental and infrastructural challenges, the Council approved the constitution of a committee comprising relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to advise the government on measures to regulate and mitigate environmental and infrastructural threats.
The decisions of the State Executive Council cover renewable energy, youth empowerment, education, sports development, healthcare, road infrastructure, rural accessibility and environmental management.
