— Focus on boosting grassroots access to finance and entrepreneurship
The Katsina State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion and strengthening grassroots economic systems following the conclusion of a three-day oversight and familiarisation tour of Amana Microfinance Bank branches across the state.
The exercise, carried out by the Department of Banking and Finance, was led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Banking and Finance, Hajiya Bilkisu Sulaiman Ibrahim. The team visited all sixteen branches of the bank, including the Head Office in Katsina, to assess operational performance, service delivery, and management efficiency.
During the monitoring tour, the delegation visited branches in Funtua, Danja, Kankara, Sabuwa, Kankia, Matazu, Batagarawa, Jibia, Dutsin-Ma, and Katsina, among others. The team engaged with management and staff to review customer service, lending procedures, and branch operations.
The Special Adviser was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Department, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Dutsi; Director of Administration and Supply, Hajiya Bilkisu Idris; and Managing Director of Amana Microfinance Bank, Alhaji Umar Zubair, along with other senior officials.
Speaking at the end of the exercise, Hajiya Bilkisu commended Amana Microfinance Bank’s management and staff for their role in expanding access to finance and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the state. She reiterated the administration’s resolve, under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, to empower citizens through inclusive and sustainable financial systems.
“Our visit has provided valuable insight into the operations and challenges of Amana Microfinance Bank at the grassroots. The government acknowledges the crucial role of microfinance institutions in promoting entrepreneurship, job creation, and poverty reduction. We are committed to supporting their growth so that financial services reach even the most remote communities,” she said.
She added that the familiarisation tour also served as a learning mission to gather direct feedback from staff and customers, identify challenges, and develop practical solutions to improve transparency, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
According to her, the Radda-led administration aims to build a strong financial ecosystem that supports small businesses, women, and youth entrepreneurs — recognising access to finance as the foundation of local economic development.
Staff and management of Amana Microfinance Bank expressed appreciation for the government’s proactive engagement, describing the visit as both timely and morale-boosting.
The Department of Banking and Finance is expected to compile a detailed report of its findings and recommendations to guide future policy decisions and strengthen supervision and accountability within the microfinance sector.
The initiative underscores the Katsina State Government’s continued dedication to transparency, accountability, and inclusive economic empowerment — ensuring that every citizen has access to financial opportunities capable of transforming lives and communities.
