Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has committed ₦5 billion to address climate change issues through the establishment of a Green Investment Fund. During his speech at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit in Abuja, Governor Radda revealed plans to dedicate 30% of the state’s annual budget to building climate-resilient infrastructure. Radda shared his observations of the impacts of climate change on rural communities, where agricultural lands that once thrived have been overtaken by desert sands, and the reliability of rainfall has become uncertain.
To tackle the pressing issue of water scarcity, Radda highlighted the ongoing construction of 120 solar-powered boreholes valued at ₦2.4 billion, with 60 additional boreholes under development. This initiative, according to the Governor, aims to provide more water for farmers, boost food production, and increase income for families in the state. Furthermore, the government has invested ₦1.4 billion in the desilting of drainage systems and ₦5.9 billion in rainwater harvesting structures, all designed to enhance irrigation capabilities.
The Green Investment Fund is designed to mitigate project risks and attract private sector investments, with Radda emphasizing that this fund, backed by an initial ₦5 billion, will play a key role in accelerating climate action initiatives. United Nations Resident Coordinator Mohamed Malick Fall lauded the state’s efforts, urging that Katsina can set an example for the country by implementing clear climate strategies that attract global investments, technology, and innovation. Fall also calls for sub-national climate strategies to align with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) ahead of COP 30 in Brazil.
