Umaru Dikko Radda
2023 Gubernatorial Elections (2023)
Umaru Dikko Radda, an economist and former SMEDAN director-general, won the 2023 Katsina governorship election on the APC platform with 859892 votes.
Born: 1 January 1971 (age 55)
State: Katsina
Party: All Progressives Congress (APC)
Gender: Male
Qualifications: PRIMARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE GRADE II CERTIFICATE PHD
Running Mate: Lawal Faruk
Bio
Dikko Umar Radda (born 10 September 1969) is a Nigerian economist and politician who was elected governor of Katsina State in the 2023 gubernatorial election. He previously served as director-general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). His profile also lists his birthplace as Dutsin-Ma/Hayin Gada in Katsina State, his running mate as Lawal Faruk, and qualifications including Primary School Certificate, Grade II Certificate, and PhD.
Radda is described as being of Fulani descent and having studied at Radda Primary School, Zaria Teachers College, and Kafanchan College of Education, before earning a B-Tech in Agricultural Economics and Extension from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and an MSc in Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology from Ahmadu Bello University. Between 2013 and 2015, he helped build the APC and served as its National Welfare Secretary (2014-2015), later becoming chief of staff to Katsina governor Aminu Bello Masari after the 2015 general election. In 2016, he founded the Gwagware Foundation, which is credited with food distribution, medical support, improved water access, and employment support in rural communities.
In the 2023 Katsina governorship race, he ran on the APC platform and won with 859892 votes.