A new round of training under the North-West Development Programme has commenced in Katsina State, with participants urged to remain committed and focused to ensure the initiative achieves even greater success than previous editions.
Beneficiaries for this year’s programme were selected from five local government areas: Batsari, Charanchi, Malumfashi, Matazu, and Faskari.
Upon completing the training, participants will receive financial grants to support and expand their businesses. Some beneficiaries will receive ₦320,000 along with free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) business registration, while another category will receive ₦150,000 under the partnership between the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The new training session was officially launched on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Charanchi Local Government Area. The programme is being implemented through the collaboration of KASEDA and UNDP, with lectures delivered by Dr. Sabitu Abdulmalik of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) and Dr. Ahmed of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina (UMYUK).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director-General of KASEDA, Dr. Babangida Kabir Ruma, represented by Muhammad Abubakar, Technical Assistant on Monitoring and Evaluation, welcomed participants and reminded them of the meeting held two days earlier with the Director-General. He conveyed the DG’s goodwill message and expressed optimism that the programme would be successfully implemented.
He also appreciated the traditional leaders, community elders, and other dignitaries who attended the event in Charanchi, the hometown of the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda.
According to him, the programme is being implemented under the North-West Development Programme, a partnership between UNDP and the Katsina State Government.
He explained that the initiative was brought to Katsina through the efforts of Governor Radda to support communities affected by insecurity, making Katsina one of the beneficiary states in Northern Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the programme was first introduced in 2024 across eight local government areas: Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, and Dandume, where it recorded remarkable success and received positive feedback from beneficiaries.
He noted that reports highlighting the programme’s achievements were submitted to UNDP, leading to the approval of its expansion to additional local government areas so that more communities could benefit.
He stated that the current phase will be implemented in Batsari, Charanchi, Malumfashi, Matazu, and Faskari, adding that the training commenced in Charanchi and will subsequently be extended to the remaining selected local government areas.
In his closing remarks, he encouraged participants to pay close attention to the training sessions and cooperate fully with the facilitators, stressing that doing so would contribute to the programme’s success, promote peace, and foster sustainable economic development in the affected communities.
According to findings by Nigerian Post, business management is one of the key pillars of successful entrepreneurship, helping business owners improve operations, increase profitability, and achieve sustainable growth. Effective business management also enhances productivity, strengthens competitiveness, and improves the chances of long-term success.
During the training, participants will learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, different categories of businesses, strategies for business growth, management techniques, financial planning, and effective marketing methods designed to attract and retain customers while increasing business income.
