The Katsina State Government, under the leadership of Dikko Umaru Radda, has begun a decisive overhaul of outdated urban master plans, signalling a bold push to modernise development across major towns in the state.
Governor Radda’s administration has, since assuming office, paid over ₦12 billion as compensation to citizens affected by development projects across the state. Remarkably, ₦8 billion of that sum was disbursed in 2025 alone, underscoring what officials describe as a people-first approach to governance.
The Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Faisal Umar Kaita, disclosed this during an end-of-year get-together organised for staff of the ministry and journalists at the Katsina State Geographic Information Service (KATGIS) meeting room.
According to Dr. Kaita, the state government has maintained a strict policy of paying full compensation before land acquisition, particularly in sensitive cases involving farmlands and relocation of residents.
In a major planning milestone, the administration has reviewed the long-abandoned master plans of Katsina, Daura and Funtua, which had remained unchanged since the year 2000. The newly reviewed plans now cover the period 2025 to 2040, providing a modern framework to guide orderly urban growth.
Dr. Kaita revealed that the revised master plans are already being gazetted into law, following approval by the State Executive Council, to ensure legal backing and consistency in development control.
He further noted that the establishment of KATGIS is yielding strong dividends in transparency, land administration efficiency and revenue generation, with the agency targeting an additional ₦1.2 billion in revenue in 2026.
The Commissioner explained that the introduction of an “easy-go” land registration system has boosted public confidence, enabling property owners to obtain land titles within significantly shorter timeframes.
Beyond planning reforms, the Office of the State Surveyor-General and the Urban and Regional Planning Board recorded major gains in 2025, including the procurement of high-tech surveying equipment to replace obsolete tools that had hampered operations for years.
Dr. Kaita praised Governor Radda for his unwavering support and commended the commitment of directors, management and staff of the ministry and its departments for what he described as “a productive and transformative year.”
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Aminu Ibrahim, assured that the ministry would continue to justify the confidence reposed in it by the governor.
Similarly, the Director-General of KATGIS, Mansir Aminu, the State Surveyor-General, Saifullahi Umar Masanawa, and the General Manager of the Urban and Regional Planning Board, Abbas Sambo, commended the commissioner’s leadership and the state government’s continued understanding and support.
With billions paid in compensation and city plans finally dragged into the 21st century, observers say Governor Radda’s land reforms may well define Katsina’s urban future for decades to come.
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