By Musa Abdullahi Sufi, Katsina, Nigeria
(SIDES Media)
KATSINA, Nigeria – The Katsina State Government has announced the successful disbursement of ₦3.61 billion directly to communities across the state’s 361 political wards, resulting in the rehabilitation and improvement of more than 3,900 public facilities under its innovative Community Development Programme (CDP).
Speaking during the programme’s maiden media engagement in Katsina, the State Programme Coordinator, Associate Professor Kamaluddeen Kabir, disclosed that each political ward received ₦10 million, empowering communities to identify, prioritize and implement projects that respond directly to their local development needs.
According to him, the initiative has facilitated the rehabilitation of public schools, renovation of primary healthcare centres, restoration of abandoned water facilities, installation of solar-powered infrastructure, and execution of numerous community-driven projects across the state.
“As of last month, the 361 communities have renovated and repaired more than 3,900 public facilities, while several additional projects are currently ongoing,” he stated.
Professor Kabir explained that the Community Development Programme, initiated by Governor Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, represents a shift towards participatory governance by placing development decision-making directly in the hands of citizens.
The programme operates through three implementation structures: the State Steering Committee, chaired by the Governor; the Joint Planning Committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor; and Community-Level Committees established in each political ward.
Each ward functions as a development community managed by a 17-member Community-Level Committee responsible for identifying priorities, mobilizing citizens and validating projects. The committees are supported by three Community Development Officers per ward, bringing the total number of field officers to 1,083 across the state.
Professor Kabir noted that communities are best positioned to determine their development priorities and identify genuine beneficiaries of government interventions, thereby enhancing transparency, accountability and effective resource utilization.
He further revealed that the programme has significantly strengthened participatory budgeting in Katsina State through ward-level town hall consultations. All 361 wards submitted development priorities for inclusion in the 2026 State Budget, while consultations for the 2027 budget have already been completed.
“The Governor believes communities should determine their priorities rather than government making assumptions about what people need. This approach ensures that government projects reflect the actual aspirations and pressing needs of the people,” he added.
My Comment
I commend the visionary leadership of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for institutionalizing a community-led governance model that promotes transparency, citizen participation, accountability and sustainable grassroots development. The Community Development Programme demonstrates how inclusive governance can accelerate equitable development while strengthening public trust in government institutions.
I also applaud the strategic leadership of Associate Professor Kamaluddeen Kabir and the entire Community Development Programme management team for successfully coordinating one of Nigeria’s most impactful community-driven development initiatives.
Their commitment to empowering communities to become active participants in governance represents a model worthy of replication across Africa.
As measurable impacts continue to emerge from this initiative, I calls on development partners, multilateral agencies, philanthropic organizations, international development institutions, donor agencies and the private sector to explore strategic partnerships with the Katsina State Community Development Programme.
Collaborative investments in this model have the potential to expand access to quality education, strengthen primary healthcare systems, improve water and sanitation infrastructure, enhance renewable energy adoption, and deepen community resilience.
The Katsina Community Development Programme stands as a compelling example of how people-centred governance, local ownership and strategic leadership can deliver sustainable development outcomes and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
