Katsina gov reaffirms commitment to child welfare, inclusive education

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare, education and inclusion of children in the state, declaring that every policy under his government is designed with the future of children in mind.

Radda made this known in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, on Wednesday to commemorate the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration themed, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child.”

The governor described children as the “most sacred trust” any society holds and stressed that his administration remained committed to ensuring that every child in Katsina, regardless of background, ability or circumstance, has access to opportunities for a better future.

“Today belongs to our children. They are not merely the leaders of tomorrow, they are the heartbeat of today. Every policy we make, every naira we invest, and every structure we build is ultimately for them,” the governor said.

According to the statement, the governor highlighted the appointment of Faruq Umar Lema, a young boy from Batagarawa Local Government Area, as Special Assistant on Children’s Affairs as a symbol of his administration’s commitment to including children’s voices in governance.

Radda also noted that the state established three multi-million naira Model and Smart Secondary Schools in Radda, Jikamshi and Dumurkul to provide quality education for gifted children from poor and rural communities.

“He said the facilities boast 24-hour electricity, internet connectivity, robotics and artificial intelligence laboratories, and a fully digital learning ecosystem bringing technology-driven education to children who need it most,” the statement added.

The governor further disclosed that 996 students would begin studies in the schools following what he described as a transparent admission process commended by European Union diplomats and international education observers.

He said the administration, in partnership with the Gwagware Foundation, also launched a Back to School Programme targeted at reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

“No child in Katsina should be roaming the streets when there is a classroom waiting for them. We are not just talking about inclusion, we are funding it, staffing it, and tracking it,” Radda stated.

The governor also recalled the recent launch of the Katsina State Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, aimed at protecting students and teachers from insecurity, bullying and gender-based violence.

“We declared war on school violence because our children deserve peace in their classrooms. And we paid their examination fees because no child’s future should be held hostage by an invoice,” he said.

According to the statement, the administration has equally absorbed the costs of WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS examination fees for secondary school students across the state.

Radda further disclosed that 2,000 students had been trained in bag production and other vocational skills as part of efforts to equip young people with entrepreneurial and income-generating opportunities.

He called on parents, teachers, community leaders and civil society organisations to support efforts aimed at creating a safe and inclusive environment for every child in the country.

The governor’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the number of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria and renewed calls for stronger investments in child protection, education and youth development across the country.