* “We remain committed to building a peaceful, resilient and inclusive Katsina State” – Gov. Radda declares
* UK Government, FCDO, Development Partners Commend Katsina’s Peace and Climate Action Drive
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has launched the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) Programme in Katsina, describing it as a major milestone in the state’s efforts to promote peacebuilding, security and climate resilience.
The four-year, UK-funded SPRING Programme held today in Katsina, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by PrioritiseTech and partners, is designed to promote community-led peacebuilding, conflict prevention, climate adaptation and livelihood resilience across the state.Speaking at the launch,
Governor Radda said the programme is a strategic intervention aimed at consolidating peace, strengthening social cohesion, promoting climate resilience and addressing the root causes of conflict in the North-West.
.”This partnership reflects the shared commitment of the United Kingdom and Nigerian governments to good governance, peace and security, climate action and inclusive development. Sustainable peace must be locally driven and inclusive,” the Governor stated.
He noted that challenges such as banditry, farmer–herder conflicts, kidnapping and climate-induced pressures, including desertification and shrinking natural resources, have affected livelihoods, economic growth and social harmony, adding that the SPRING Programme is timely and well aligned with Katsina State’s development priorities.
In a statement signed by the chief press secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim kaula Mohammad the Governor stressed that peace, security and climate resilience are interconnected and must be tackled together to achieve lasting stability and prosperity.
He highlighted the state government’s kinetic and non-kinetic interventions, including community dialogue, peacebuilding initiatives, and the establishment of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, which have strengthened intelligence gathering, early warning, conflict resolution and rapid response to rural insecurity.
“Our administration believes that without the active involvement of communities, lasting peace cannot be achieved. That is why we are investing in dialogue, local ownership, intelligence gathering, conflict resolution and support for victims of conflict,” he said.
The Governor further disclosed that Katsina State’s commitment to climate governance has earned national recognition, ranking second in the 2025 Sub-National Climate Governance Assessment, adding that the SPRING Programme will further strengthen the state’s capacity in climate action, peace dialogue and livelihood support.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, involving youths, women, traditional institutions, civil society, local professionals and community-based organisations to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.
Governor Radda assured the United Kingdom Government, the FCDO and all implementing partners of the state’s full cooperation through the Katsina State Development Management Board for effective implementation, strong coordination and measurable results.
He commended traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and development partners for promoting dialogue, tolerance and social harmony, and expressed appreciation to the UK Government for its continued support, reiterating his commitment to building a peaceful, resilient and inclusive Katsina State.Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Development Management Board (KTDM),
Dr. Mustapha Shehu, said the partnership aims to build community capacity to understand, own and sustain peace, with respect for diversity, religion, culture and socio-economic realities.
He explained that traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youths are being trained in dialogue, anger management, mediation and conflict resolution to drive grassroots peace and reduce reliance on force, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved by strengthening local institutions and community structures.
Dr. Shehu thanked Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for creating an enabling environment for peacebuilding, climate action and inclusive development, and urged partners to deepen community participation to ensure sustainability beyond the project cycle.
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, represented by Engineer Bello Lawal Yandaki, described the SPRING Programme interventions as timely and strategic.
He commended the capacity-building of the Ministry’s management and support staff, as well as the training of Community Peace and Reconciliation Committees in mediation and conflict resolution, noting that these efforts will strengthen institutional capacity and grassroots peacebuilding across the state.
