Radda unveils 2025–2040 Katsina, Daura, Funtua masterplans

…backs implementation with N857bn budget

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has on Wednesday unveiled comprehensive 2025–2040 masterplans for Katsina, Daura and Funtua cities, describing the documents as a “historic milestone” that will guide urban development across the state for the next 15 years.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at Government House, Katsina, Radda said the new plans would transform the three major urban centres into modern, inclusive and economically vibrant cities.

“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”, he said.

According to him, “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.

“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 disclosed that the 2026 State budget of over ₦857 billion, the largest in the State’s history, was structured to support the execution of the plans. “Our 2026 budget reflects our determination to translate these plans into concrete actions that will reshape our cities and improve the lives of our people,” he said.

He explained that the masterplans had been officially gazetted and would gradually be extended to all 34 Local Government areas of the State.

“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,” the governor added.

Radda acknowledged that poor implementation of past development frameworks had contributed to urban slums, flooding, desertification and overcrowding.

“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 said.

Earlier, Faisal Umar Kaita, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, described the unveiling as a milestone in the state’s urban planning history, warning that rapid population growth demands strategic intervention.

He noted that Katsina State’s population, currently estimated at about 12 million, is projected to exceed 21 million by 2040.

“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.