Katsina approves resettlement packages for 1,662 Youth Craft Village graduates

…6,200 roadside businesses to benefit from KASEDA direct grant programme

The Katsina State Executive Council has approved a series of initiatives aimed at empowering youths, supporting small businesses, boosting agricultural productivity and reforming the state’s tax administration system.

The approvals were made on Wednesday during the 6th Regular Council Meeting of 2026 held at the Red Chamber of General Muhammadu Buhari House, Katsina, and chaired by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Bala Salisu Zango, Commissioner for Information and Culture, said the decisions reflect the administration’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy in line with Governor Radda’s “Building Your Future” agenda.

Among the major approvals was the procurement of 2025 resettlement packages for 1,662 graduates of the Katsina Youth Craft Village across the Katsina, Daura and Malumfashi senatorial zones.

Sani Daura, the Commissioner for Higher Technical and Vocational Education, said the initiative was designed to empower young people with starter packs after acquiring vocational skills.

According to him, “the support would enable beneficiaries to become self-reliant, create jobs and reduce youth restiveness across the State”.

The Executive Council also approved the branding of 6,200 roadside shops and businesses across Katsina metropolis and the 34 local government areas ahead of financial support under the Direct Grant Programme of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA).

Babangida Rumah, Director-General of KASEDA, said the initiative followed the successful mapping of micro, small and medium enterprises across the state.

“The exercise was carried out to identify eligible businesses for government support and strengthen economic activities at the grassroots”, he explained.

In the agricultural sector, the council approved the procurement of assorted improved seeds from reputable companies and agro-dealers for distribution to farmers at subsidised rates ahead of the 2026 farming season.

Lawal Aliyu Shargalle, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Livestock Development, said the intervention would help improve agricultural output by ensuring farmers have access to quality seeds and other support services.

The Council also approved the domestication of the 2025 Tax Reform Act to align with the state’s tax administration system.

In addition, a draft bill on consolidated revenue law and harmonised rates and levies will be forwarded to the Katsina State House of Assembly for consideration.

Isyaku Muhammed, Chairman of the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service, said the tax reform would ease the burden on low-income earners and vulnerable citizens while strengthening the state’s internally generated revenue. “The reforms would create a more transparent and efficient tax system in the state.

The approvals, according to the government officials, are part of efforts by the Radda administration to build a more inclusive, economically vibrant and self-reliant Katsina State.