Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has unveiled the new masterplans for Katsina, Daura, and Funtua, setting a 15-year development framework aimed at transforming the three cities into modern, inclusive, and economically vibrant urban centres.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held at the Government House, Katsina, Governor Radda described the masterplans as “a historic milestone in our urban renewal journey and a cornerstone of our broader vision to build orderly, functional, and prosperous communities across the state.
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“The last comprehensive masterplans for these cities were developed in 1978 and designed to operate for only 25 years. Despite several attempts at review, those efforts remained incomplete until now. Today, we are correcting that gap and laying a solid foundation for the future of our urban centres,” the Governor stated.
“Since assuming office in 2023, we inherited rapidly growing urban centres characterised by fragile expansion, inadequate infrastructure, and the lingering effects of insecurity. But under our Building Your Future agenda, we refused to accept the status quo and chose instead to confront our challenges head-on,” he explained.
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Governor Radda noted that progress is already being recorded across the state.
“Peace is gradually returning to our land, investor confidence is rising, and our people are beginning to see tangible dividends of democracy. The unveiling of these masterplans marks another bold step in that journey,” he said.
“These masterplans were prepared through rigorous stakeholder consultations, expert analysis, and a deep understanding of our unique context. They will guide the physical, economic, and social transformation of our three largest urban centres for the next 15 years and beyond,” the governor emphasised.
He stressed that the plans will not remain on paper. “Let me be clear—these masterplans are not meant to gather dust on shelves. Implementation begins immediately after this launch. We have already commenced urban renewal projects, invested heavily in road networks, drainage systems, and land administration reforms,” Governor Radda said.
The Governor disclosed that the 2026 state budget provides strong backing for the plans. “Our 2026 budget of over ₦857 billion, the largest in our history, reflects our determination to translate these plans into concrete actions that will reshape our cities and improve the lives of our people,” he added.
He described the masterplans as more than technical documents. “These are not just drawings or policy papers. They represent our collective promise to build modern, orderly, and prosperous communities where our children and grandchildren will thrive in well-planned cities that honour our heritage while embracing the future,” he noted.
Reflecting on past challenges, the governor said weak implementation of earlier plans led to serious urban problems.
“We have witnessed the consequences—urban slums, recurrent floods, advancing desertification, overcrowded neighbourhoods, and the spread of diseases. Today, we are taking a bold step to change that narrative through a clear implementation framework,” he explained.
He announced that the new masterplans have already been gazetted. “The Katsina, Daura, and Funtua masterplans for 2025 to 2040 have been officially gazetted, and we are gradually extending this process to other local government areas across the state,” Governor Radda said.
He also highlighted reforms in development control, saying:
“We have revitalised the Urban and Regional Planning Board and procured modern development control equipment worth over ₦700 million. We are also implementing advanced development control systems to ensure orderly growth.”
“The planning area order provides the legal backbone to turn these visionary plans into reality by empowering relevant authorities to regulate and manage development effectively,” the Governor said, adding that an Executive Order has been signed to establish formal planning areas.
While emphasising the role of traditional institutions and land administrators, he said:
“We have involved traditional rulers and land vendors in the development control process. Land transactions must now be reported, and vendors are required to register with relevant authorities to ensure transparency and order”.
He stressed that the initiative is about securing the future. “We made this decision to ensure that our children inherit well-planned communities with access roads, water, schools, markets, and green spaces—not chaos and conflict over land,” he stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Faisal Umar Kaita, a professor described the event as a milestone in Katsina’s urban development. He said the masterplans for Katsina, Daura, and Funtua mark the beginning of structured planning to manage rapid population growth.
“This is a pivotal moment for us. These masterplans will transform our cities into modern, resilient, and inclusive urban centres while addressing future socioeconomic and environmental challenges,” Mr Kaita said.
He noted that Katsina’s population of about 12 million, projected to exceed 21 million in the next 15 years, requires strategic urban planning to tackle congestion, informal settlements, and environmental degradation.
“Planning is not just for today; it is for future generations. This intergenerational foresight will guide our cities toward economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life,” he said.
The commissioner explained that the three masterplans are the first phase of a statewide blueprint, designed to strengthen policy implementation, optimise public and private infrastructure, and ensure the effective delivery of social amenities.
Also, Yakubu Aliyu Bununu, in his presentation, said the masterplans for Katsina, Daura, and Funtua aim to create resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities, aligned with the SDGs, Nigeria’s National Urban Development Policy, and the New Urban Agenda.
He noted that rapid urbanisation offers growth opportunities but also causes congestion, informal settlements, and urban poverty, which the plans seek to address.
The plans focus on three core strategies: evidence-based methodology through surveys and stakeholder engagement; adaptive urban strategies for climate resilience and socioeconomic challenges; and integration of technology and sustainability to promote balanced growth.
Key proposals cover land use, transportation, housing, economic and commercial zones, utilities, green infrastructure, and urban design. Transportation includes three road hierarchies with future mass transit; housing promotes public-private partnerships; and commercial zones formalise small traders. Utilities and services are planned to meet population growth through 2040.
Implementation involves short-, medium-, and long-term phases, a Masterplan Implementation Unit, legal support for zoning and development control, and continuous monitoring.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe; Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Nasir Yahaya Daura; Head of Service, Falalu Bawale and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir.
Also present were the Commissioner of Justice, Fadila Mohammed Dikko; members of the Katsina State Executive Council; representatives from Katsina and Daura Emirates; Heads of Security Agencies and ward heads.
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