Radda takes Katsina’s Tech agenda to China for smart governance, industrial growth

Dikko Umaru Radda, Katsina State governor, has led a high-powered delegation to China in a strategic technology and industrial partnership mission aimed at accelerating the implementation of his administration’s “Building Your Future” agenda.

The mission is focused on strengthening existing partnerships, exploring new areas of collaboration and identifying practical technologies to drive development in education, agriculture, security, governance, manufacturing and the digital economy.

Governor Radda said technology had remained central to his administration’s development strategy, stressing that Katsina was deploying innovation to improve public services, create economic opportunities and enhance security.

“Technology has been integrated into our development strategy since the beginning of this administration. We are using it to improve public services, create economic opportunities, strengthen security and support growth across key sectors,” he said.

Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor,, in a statement said the delegation reviewed ongoing technology-driven projects in Katsina, particularly those implemented through the Katsina Directorate of Information and Communications Technology (KATDICT).

He said one of the flagship initiatives is the Radda Smart Model School, developed in partnership with Huawei Technologies. The school operates on 24-hour power supply and is equipped with high-speed internet, interactive smart boards and a Learning Management System designed to support modern teaching and learning.

Huawei, in collaboration with KATDICT, has also donated a Mobile Digital Learning Truck to the state. According to Radda, the initiative is taking digital literacy and technology training to schools and communities, particularly in underserved and remote areas.

The governor also highlighted the administration’s partnership with Chinese stakeholders in establishing the Katsina Agricultural Mechanisation Centre, which he said was improving access to modern farm equipment, boosting productivity and supporting food security.

During the mission, the Katsina delegation held meetings with leading Chinese technology and industrial companies, with discussions covering digital government, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, smart education, innovation ecosystems and digital public infrastructure.

The delegation visited the Huawei Global Training Centre, research and development facilities, manufacturing plants, Smart Campus and Integrated Operations Centre (IOC).

Radda said Huawei’s IOC demonstrated how technology could support intelligence-led governance through data integration, real-time monitoring and coordinated emergency response.

“These engagements give us useful perspectives on how technology, industrialisation and skills development can drive economic diversification and job creation. The insights gained will help us strengthen security and improve coordination across government institutions in Katsina State,” Radda said.

The delegation also visited Geely Holding Group, one of China’s leading technology and manufacturing companies, where discussions focused on sustainable mobility, electric vehicles, intelligent manufacturing and industrial development.

The governor said the mission reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deploying practical technology solutions to improve outcomes in education, agriculture, healthcare, security, commerce and public administration.

“This is about building on existing partnerships and identifying new opportunities that will support the Building Your Future agenda and deliver a more productive, secure and prosperous Katsina State,” he said.

Members of the delegation included the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Director-General of KATDICT, Naufal Ahmad; Executive Secretary, Katsina State Development Management Board (KTDMB), Mustapha Shehu; and Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Maikudi.