KEY POINTS
- Governor Dikko Radda extended automatic employment to all Katsina first-class graduates nationwide.
- He says recruiting top graduates will build one of Nigeria’s most efficient civil services.
- The state has recruited over 10,000 teachers and raised bursary allowances.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has extended the offer of automatic employment to indigenes who graduate with first-class degrees from higher institutions across the country. He announced the expansion on Sunday during the grand finale of the maiden Katsina State Students’ Week at Bayero University, Kano.
A bid for a stronger civil service
According to Radda, the initiative aims to attract the brightest minds into the state civil service and strengthen its capacity for service delivery. He said the policy began at home before it widened. “When I assumed office, I introduced automatic employment for students who graduated with first-class degrees. We implemented this policy at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University and other institutions located in Katsina State,” he said.
Moreover, he announced the broader offer. “Today, I am pleased to expand the offer to all Katsina State students across the country who graduate with first-class degrees from this year onward,” he said. Furthermore, he framed the move as a long-term investment. “If we recruit a significant number of first-class graduates into the civil service, Katsina State will have one of the most efficient and productive civil services in the country within the next 10 to 15 years,” he added, predicting a service that could rival federal institutions.
Wider education reforms
In addition, Radda said his administration had prioritized settling outstanding scholarship obligations and raising bursary allowances to keep students in school. According to him, the government has significantly cut the number of out-of-school children and steered many away from social vices.
The governor also stressed that education remains a top priority, noting that his administration consistently allocates a substantial share of the budget to the sector. Consequently, he said the government had recruited more than 10,000 teachers, built new schools and rehabilitated educational infrastructure across the state.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Haruna Musa-Muhammad, described Radda as a student-friendly governor and commended the upgraded scholarship scheme. Earlier, the convener and Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters, Muhammad Nagaske, said the Students’ Week sought to foster collaboration, promote excellence and discover talent. Ultimately, the event drew Katsina students from institutions in Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Borno and other states, and top performers in the week’s sports, academic and cultural contests received prizes.
