Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has praised Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State for his visionary leadership in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Dikko Social Innovation Academy (DSIA) and the maiden edition of the Katsina MSME Awards and Dinner at the Government House Banquet Hall, Shettima described Katsina as “a beacon of creativity and resilience in Northern Nigeria.” He said the state was reviving its legacy as a centre of learning, trade, and craftsmanship that shaped generations of leaders across the region.
The Vice President recalled Katsina’s historical significance as a hub of scholarship and leadership, referencing figures such as Sheikh Mohammed Bello and the renowned Katsina College, later known as Barewa College, which produced many of Nigeria’s top leaders. He urged the state to channel its creative energy toward industrialization by turning local raw materials like cotton and millet into industries that create jobs and promote inclusive growth.
Shettima also commended Governor Radda for establishing the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), describing it as a model initiative that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He lauded Radda’s effort to build unity among political and traditional leaders, stressing that progress requires collaboration against insecurity and poverty.
“I am proud of Katsina’s unity and progress,” Shettima said with humour, adding that the Governor “resembles me more than anyone else in this room.”
Governor Radda, in his address, said the event was “a celebration of innovation, resilience, and progress toward a more prosperous future.” He noted that his administration’s decision to empower people through enterprise and innovation led to the creation of KASEDA, which has become one of Nigeria’s most vibrant enterprise institutions.
He commended KASEDA’s Director-General, Hajiya Aisha Aminu, for her leadership and announced that the agency had developed a five-year strategic plan to drive economic growth. Radda highlighted the DSIA as one of the state’s most impactful initiatives, designed to train young people from underserved communities in social entrepreneurship and problem-solving.
According to the Governor, the DSIA was inspired by Uganda’s Social Innovation Academy model and has graduated its first cohort of 18 fellows after six months of intensive training. “Many of them began this journey with little confidence but are leaving as innovators and community leaders,” he said, urging the Vice President to consider replicating the DSIA model nationally.
Radda also unveiled the first Katsina MSME Awards, aimed at celebrating excellence and inspiring other entrepreneurs across the state. He announced a car prize for the overall best MSME awardee and called on private organizations and development partners to support future editions.
He revealed that the state had disbursed ₦500 million to youth and women entrepreneurs, alongside a ₦542 million UNDP partnership supporting MSMEs in conflict-affected areas. Other initiatives include the ongoing MSME Census and Cluster Mapping Project and the Dikko Business Development Service Corps to help entrepreneurs access finance and scale their businesses.
“We are building a Katsina where innovation meets opportunity,” Radda said. “Together, we are making the state a home of enterprise and innovation.”
In her remarks, KASEDA Director-General Hajiya Aisha Aminu described the event as “a celebration of innovation and impact.” She explained that the DSIA’s first cohort developed nine innovation projects in areas such as health, climate, and agriculture. The second cohort currently has 30 fellows, with a third set expected to begin in January 2026.
Aminu added that the MSME Awards attracted over 2,000 entries, with 21 winners and five special recognition awardees selected through a transparent process. She reaffirmed KASEDA’s commitment to expanding MSME development, youth empowerment, and social innovation across the state.
Dignitaries at the event included ministers, lawmakers, former governors, traditional rulers, and entrepreneurs from across Katsina and beyond.
The ceremony underscored Katsina’s growing reputation as one of Northern Nigeria’s emerging hubs for innovation, enterprise, and youth development, a sign that the state’s future may indeed rest in the hands of its young changemakers.
