Umaru Dikko Radda is a Nigerian politician who contested the 2023 Gubernatorial Elections as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Katsina. They won with 860K votes (62.96%).

Biography

Dikko Umar Radda (born 10 September 1969) is a Nigerian economist and politician. He was elected governor of Katsina State in the 2023 Nigerian gubernatorial elections. He previously served as the director-general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Radda was born on 10 September 1969 in Hayin Gada Town, located in the Dutsin-Ma Local government area of Katsina state, Nigeria. He is of Fulani descent. Radda attended Radda Primary School from 1974 to 1980. He proceeded to Zaria Teachers College, where he studied from 1980 to 1985. In 1986, he enrolled at the Kafanchan College of Education and graduated in 1990 and obtained Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE).

Radda earned a B-Tech in Agricultural Economics and Extension from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, in 1996. He obtained a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Between 2013 and 2015, Dikko Umar Radda actively contributed to the establishment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria, helping solidify its structure. He served as the APC National Welfare Secretary from 2014 to 2015.

Following the APC's victory in the 2015 general elections, Radda was appointed chief of staff to Katsina State governor Aminu Bello Masari. His role involved coordinating administrative activities and implementing policies aimed at advancing governance in the state. His tenure was focused on enhancing public service delivery and addressing local governance challenges.

In 2016, Radda founded the Gwagware Foundation, which aims to support rural communities by providing basic social amenities. The foundation's initiatives include distributing food supplies, providing medical care, improving water access, and creating employment opportunities. It has also organized activities such as distributing supplies to local government areas affected by banditry. In 2022, the foundation trained 500 youths from Katsina State in computer skills and tailoring, providing start-up packs for entrepreneurial endeavors. The foundation has donated educational materials, including 5,000 books to schools in the Batagarawa Local Government Area.

Governor of the Year 2023 - Dr. Radda was honored with this award during the Leadership Conference for his contributions to Katsina State, particularly in addressing security challenges, enhancing infrastructure, and promoting educational and agricultural development. He received the National Honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) from the president of Nigeria for his remarkable efforts and achievements as governor. The Distinguished Leadership Award (2019) was presented by the Nigeria Civil Service Union, recognizing his impactful leadership during his tenure as director-general of SMEDAN. The Public Sector Excellence Award (2022) was bestowed by Revenue Magazine for his dedication to public service and contributions to economic growth during his role at SMEDAN.

Party Positions

Policy positions from the All Progressives Congress (APC) party manifesto.

Agriculture

Launches the Irrigate Nigeria Project as a public-private partnership to develop small-scale irrigation and water catchment systems using modern technology to boost agricultural productivity.

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Security & Defense

Will deploy modern aerial surveillance and advanced technology to monitor and deter intrusions into oil pipelines, power stations, and other critical national infrastructure in real time.

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Environment & Climate

Accelerates the environmental cleanup and re-establishment of fisheries and profitable aquacultural activities in the Niger-Delta region to counter violent extremism and poverty-driven disaffection.

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Economy & Trade

Will implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and additional favorable policies to attract investment in deep-water assets within 6 months, including encouraging signature bonus negotiations and royalty reliefs.

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Infrastructure

Creates regional industrial hubs in specific zones (North West, North East, South East, South South, South West, North Central) to focus on labor-intensive manufacturing, with tailored investments (e.g., textiles, dry ports, glass, pottery, solid minerals, regulated mining).

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Enterprise grant support

Work with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to simplify loan processes for commercial banks, mandate federally owned banks to provide low-cost loans to youth-led enterprises, and expand business incubation centers to support youth innovation.

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Energy

Will mandate gas metering equipment on all facilities where gas flaring occurs within 6 months and establish a special enforcement unit to monitor compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) on gas flaring reduction, with non-compliance leading to financial penalties for affected communities.

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Governance & Reform

Reserve at least 3 cabinet positions for individuals under 40 and 6 more positions for members under the age of 40, and mandate that at least 20% of political appointments to Ministries/Dangomas (MDAs) be reserved for individuals under 40.

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Education

Raises the priority of addressing out-of-school children, establishes a task force to review and strengthen programs like school feeding, and aims to reduce disaffected youth recruitment by violent groups.

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Healthcare

Will establish a network of upgraded, equipped, and staffed general hospitals in every Local Government Area, tertiary facilities in each State, and world-class specialist hospitals in each geo-political zone to improve healthcare accessibility and quality.

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Technology & Digital

Supports the development of MSMEs through partnerships with fintech players to expand access to capital and business development services.

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Reliefs and scholarships

Commits to a conditional income support program requiring recipients to meet human capital goals (school attendance, healthcare, nutrition) in exchange for payments.

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