By Gabriel Ameh
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners, non-governmental organisations and private investors to tackle climate change, warning that no single institution can address the challenge alone.
Radda made the call during the unveiling of the Katsina State Climate Change Policy and the launch of the Governor Dikko Radda Climate Legacy Publication at the second Climate Action and Green Investment Summit 2026, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
The governor identified landscape restoration, reliable energy, climate-smart agriculture, water security, green infrastructure and waste management as priority areas for investment to strengthen environmental resilience and create economic opportunities.
He stressed that successful climate investment requires good governance, reliable data, effective project planning, appropriate safeguards and transparent implementation.
Radda also called on development partners and investors to support projects capable of delivering measurable environmental and social benefits, emphasising the importance of financial accountability and technical competence.
Katsina Seeks Partnerships for Climate Action
Earlier, the Chief Convener of the summit and Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change, Professor Mohammed Amin Al-Amin, called on Katsina indigenes to support the state government’s climate change initiatives.
Al-Amin emphasised the need for inclusive climate action, environmental sustainability and greater youth participation, noting that climate change requires coordinated efforts from governments, communities, development organisations and the private sector.
He urged stakeholders to build strategic partnerships that would strengthen the state’s response to environmental challenges.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Hon. Kanma Nkemkanma, who represented the Speaker of the House, called for urgent and sustained action to address the growing effects of climate change across Nigeria.
Nkemkanma warned that flooding, drought, desertification, land degradation and water scarcity continue to threaten food security, livelihoods and critical infrastructure, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
He said the consequences of delaying climate action outweigh the cost of timely intervention, urging governments to move beyond policy declarations and implement practical solutions.
These, he said, should include climate-smart agriculture, land restoration, forest protection, improved water management, clean energy and stronger early-warning systems.
He also called for greater accountability in climate financing and the effective implementation of policies and programmes that address the needs of vulnerable communities.
Minister Highlights Katsina’s Green Initiatives
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, commended the Radda administration for its environmental initiatives and infrastructure development across Katsina State.
Musawa highlighted the Katsina One Tree Initiative, which targets the planting and nurturing of 11 million trees by 2030.
The initiative is expected to begin with two million trees in 2026 and extend across all 34 local government areas of the state.
She also praised the administration’s progress in renewable energy, noting that the state had crossed the 30-megawatt milestone in renewable energy production.
According to her, the administration’s infrastructure projects and environmental programmes demonstrate its commitment to development.
Musawa added that President Bola Tinubu had directed federal ministries to work closely with the Katsina State Government to advance regional development.
Former NIPSS Director Praises Radda’s Environmental Policies
The book reviewer and former Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Professor Ahmed Danfulani, said Katsina State was moving in the right direction under Radda’s administration.
Danfulani highlighted the importance of addressing climate change and commended the governor’s environmental policies.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also recognised Katsina State’s climate leadership, stressing the importance of partnerships among governments, development agencies and local communities in responding to climate risks.
Katsina Rewards Six Students for Climate Change Participation
Six pupils and students from public primary and secondary schools in Katsina State were recognised for their performance in the governor’s climate change programme.
The award recipients were Khadija Lawal Usman, Asmau Adamu, Yasmin Kabir, Maryam Sabiu, Ahmad Umar Barau and Mohammad Jamil.
Each student received a cash prize of ₦500,000 in recognition of their performance.
Other dignitaries at the summit included the Chief of Staff at the Katsina State Government House, Abdulkadir Mamman; Hajia Aisha Rimi; the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Council, Yusuf Kelani; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change, Mrs Omotenoioye Majekodunmi; and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Usman Ashraf.
Representatives of the United Nations Development Programme, United Bank for Africa and Access Bank also attended the event.
Tree-Planting Initiative Targets 11 Million Trees
The Katsina One Tree Initiative is a major component of the state’s environmental strategy, targeting the planting and nurturing of 11 million trees by 2030.
The programme is scheduled to begin with two million trees in 2026, covering all 34 local government areas.
Beyond tree planting, the state’s climate agenda includes renewable energy development, sustainable agriculture, water security and environmental restoration.
The success of these initiatives will depend on sustained funding, effective implementation, public participation and transparent monitoring to ensure that the programmes deliver lasting environmental and economic benefits.
