From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, will on Tuesday commence a two-day working visit to Katsina State.
During the visit, the Vice President is expected to officially launch the 9th Expanded National MSME Clinic, commission the dualized Central Mosque–Roundabout–Kidis Road, and unveil the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA) — a groundbreaking digital agriculture system connecting thousands of farmers across the state.
Speaking to newsmen on the visit, the Director General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), Aisha Aminu Malumfashi, said the Vice President’s visit would mark a major milestone in Katsina’s journey toward economic diversification and youth empowerment.
She explained that the 9th Expanded National MSME Clinic, scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025, will bring together hundreds of entrepreneurs, regulatory agencies, and financial institutions for business exhibitions, mentoring, and direct support sessions.
“This is not just a programme; it is a life-changing opportunity for small business owners,” Malumfashi said. “Young people, women, and artisans will meet agencies like BOI, BOA, SMEDAN, NEXIM, and NAFDAC in one place to register their businesses, access loans, and receive professional guidance.”
The clinic will also feature the first-ever Katsina MSME Awards Night, where both the Vice President and Governor Dikko Umaru Radda will honour outstanding entrepreneurs who have demonstrated resilience and innovation despite economic challenges.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Engr. Kabir Magaji Ingawa, disclosed that the Vice President will also commission the newly completed 3.3-kilometre dual carriageway linking the Central Mosque Roundabout to Kidis Roundabout via WTC, constructed at a cost of ₦1.9 billion.
According to him, the project is equipped with solar-powered streetlights, walkways, and modern drainage facilities to enhance safety, ease traffic congestion, and beautify the city.
“This road is more than infrastructure; it’s an enabler of trade,” Engr. Ingawa stated. “It will ease the movement of goods and people, reduce travel time, and support night-time business operations through solar lighting.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Ahmad Muhammad Bakori, said the Vice President would unveil KASPA — a digital agriculture platform designed to link farmers directly with experts, markets, and agro-input suppliers across the 34 local government areas.
He described KASPA as a “revolutionary bridge” that will transform agricultural communication, boost food production, and increase farmers’ income.
“With just a phone, a farmer can now access advice, buy quality seeds, and sell produce directly to buyers,” he said. “This is a major step towards digital farming and food security.”
Prof. Bakori added that the State Government has introduced complementary innovations, including a Farmer’s Radio Station and an e-extension communication network, to ensure farmers receive real-time information, expert guidance, and weather updates to enhance productivity.
