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By Abdullahi Inuwa
The Katsina State Government has injected ₦4 billion into the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), a World Bank-backed initiative aimed at lifting thousands of women out of poverty through financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and community-based empowerment.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda announced the massive funding commitment during an inspection of the project’s implementation in Tudun Wada and Sabon Garin Kalgo communities in Daura Local Government Area, declaring that his administration is determined to make women the driving force of grassroots economic development.
The governor said the programme, which is already transforming lives in the Katsina, Daura and Funtua Senatorial Districts, will soon be expanded to cover all 34 local government areas of the state, ensuring that more women have access to economic opportunities and financial independence.
Radda revealed that about 19,000 women in Daura Local Government Area alone are expected to benefit through the establishment of 760 women’s groups, each made up of 25 members, where participants receive support in savings, business development and income-generating activities.
In what he described as proof of the programme’s remarkable success, the governor disclosed that women participating in the three pilot senatorial districts have already saved over ₦349 million through the project’s weekly savings scheme, a milestone he said reflects a growing culture of self-reliance and financial discipline among beneficiaries.
He noted that the initiative is not only helping women establish sustainable businesses but is also strengthening household incomes, reducing poverty and stimulating economic activities in communities across the state.
Commending the commitment and resilience of the beneficiaries, Radda assured them that his administration would continue to invest in programmes that empower women and improve family livelihoods.
The governor also unveiled plans to include men in future phases of the project, saying the move would promote broader community participation and accelerate inclusive economic development across Katsina.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, briefed the governor on the progress recorded since the project’s inception, reaffirming the ministry’s resolve to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
A highlight of the visit was a practical demonstration by participating women, who showcased how their groups operate, manage savings and support members in building sustainable businesses.
The inspection tour was attended by the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; the Chairman of Daura Local Government Area, Alhaji Bala Musa; representatives of the national and state project offices, as well as other top government officials.
The ₦4 billion counterpart funding underscores the Radda administration’s commitment to using women empowerment as a key strategy for poverty reduction, economic growth and inclusive development across Katsina State.
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