Radda pledges data-driven planning for Katsina’s growth on World Population Day

Dikko Umaru Radda, Governor of Katsina State, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to data-driven planning, saying accurate population statistics will remain central to delivering quality healthcare, education, jobs and other essential services to residents.

This was disclosed in a statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammad, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and made available to newsmen at the weekend to commemorate the 2026 World Population Day.

He said the governor described population growth as both a challenge and an opportunity that requires deliberate planning and strategic investment.

Governor Radda said his administration is determined to transform the State’s growing youthful population into a productive workforce through targeted policies and investments.

The governor said, “We must plan with numbers. Every child born, every young person entering the job market, and every family seeking health care must be accounted for in our budget and programmes.

“He stressed that the state could no longer afford to rely on estimates in development planning, noting that the government would strengthen data collection systems, expand access to family planning services, invest in skills acquisition programmes and create an enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to generate employment for young people.

“The governor directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to align their 2026 work plans with current population data to ensure effective service delivery.

“He identified maternal healthcare, girl-child education, youth employment and food security as key priorities under the state’s development agenda” .

Governor Radda also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to support government efforts in sensitising communities on responsible family size and the importance of birth registration.

“The governor further congratulated Katsina State’s representative at the National Population Commission (NPC), Professor Sadiq Isa Radda, on his recent inauguration”, he said.

Radda was sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Governor Radda expressed confidence that the new NPC commissioner would leverage his experience to ensure Katsina receives effective representation and contributes to the generation of credible population data for national planning.