GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KATSINA
PRESS RELEASE
…Senate Praises Radda Investment in Funtua Medical Sciences University
Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his commitment to education and backed the NELFUND sensitisation campaign
Governor Radda stated this today when he received the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Mohammed Dandutse, and members of the committee at the Government House, Katsina.
The delegation was in Katsina for its constitutional oversight responsibilities and to sensitise students and tertiary institutions on NELFUND.
Governor Radda described the exercise as timely, stressing the need to ensure that students are properly informed about the student loan opportunities.
He said the state had continued to sensitise students through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters, the Katsina State Scholarship Board and the Katsina Students’ Week programme.
He added that similar engagements had been held around Bayero University Kano and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
"The main objective of these initiatives is to ensure that our students are properly informed about opportunities available to them,” Governor Radda said.
The Governor described NELFUND as an important Federal Government policy for expanding access to education and reducing financial barriers for students.
"I believe the establishment of NELFUND is one of the most important policies of the Federal Government. When we invest in the education and capacity development of our younger generation, the possibilities for the future are limitless,” he said.
Governor Radda said the state would continue to complement federal interventions through its scholarship programmes.
He noted that the administration had doubled scholarship allowances and invested billions of naira in scholarships over the past three years.
He said the programmes included foreign scholarships in Medicine and Surgery, Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology, with emphasis on merit and deserving students.
The Governor also highlighted the performance of Katsina students sponsored to study Medicine and Surgery in Cairo, saying seven of the 41 beneficiaries emerged among the best-performing students in their institution in their last examination.
Governor Radda reaffirmed his commitment to working with the seven Northwest states through the Northwest Governors’ Forum to advance education and other development priorities.
"We will continue to collaborate for the overall growth and development of the Northwest and Nigeria,” he said.
He thanked the Senate delegation for choosing Katsina for the sensitisation exercise and commended Senator Dandutse for his contributions to the state.
Earlier, Senator Muntari Mohammed Dandutse said the delegation was in Katsina to conduct oversight visits to tertiary institutions and sensitise students and stakeholders on NELFUND.
He said combining the oversight exercise with sensitisation would help reach more students and provide accurate information about the scheme.
Dandutse said NELFUND was established to complement the efforts of parents and state governments by supporting students facing financial difficulties.
He commended Governor Radda for his administration’s commitment to education and human capital development.
"We assure you that the Senate Committee will continue to collaborate with the seven Northwest states under your leadership to promote educational development and ensure that students across the region benefit fully from available opportunities," he said.
The Committee Chairman particularly commended Governor Radda for the establishment and development of the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Funtua, adding that the institution was a major milestone in human capital development and healthcare.
Dandutse noted the state government’s support through land allocation, expansion and infrastructure development, expressing optimism that ongoing projects would be completed and commissioned.
He assured the Governor of the committee’s continued support in advancing tertiary education across Katsina State and the Northwest.
The event was attended by members of the Senate Committee, including Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Senator Ibrahim Khalid, Senator Ahmed Abdulhamid Malam Madori, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Senator Professor Francis Fadahunsi and Senator Professor Anthony Ani.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Chief of Staff, Honourable Commissioner for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, members of the State Executive Council, senior government officials and representatives of the media.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
07 September, 2026
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