Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has announced the expansion of automatic employment opportunities to all indigenes of the state who graduate with first-class degrees from higher institutions across Nigeria.
The governor made the announcement on Sunday during the grand finale and award presentation of the maiden Katsina State Students’ Week held at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), explaining that the initiative is designed to attract the state’s brightest graduates into the civil service and enhance public service delivery.
Speaking at the event, Radda said the policy, which was previously limited to first-class graduates from institutions within Katsina State, would now cover all Katsina indigenes who obtain first-class degrees from this year onwards, irrespective of where they studied in the country. He said the measure forms part of his administration’s strategy to build a stronger, more efficient, and productive civil service.
“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,” the governor said.
“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 added.
According to Radda, the decision was deliberately conceived to attract highly talented individuals into government service and strengthen the state’s workforce.
“This decision is deliberate. 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 said.
The governor added that such a workforce would position the state civil service to compete favourably with its counterparts across the country and even match standards at the federal level.
Radda also disclosed that his administration had prioritised the settlement of outstanding scholarship obligations and increased bursary allowances to support students and encourage them to remain focused on their studies.
He further stated that the state government had recruited more than 10,000 teachers, constructed new schools, and rehabilitated educational infrastructure across Katsina State as part of efforts to strengthen the education sector.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters and convener of the event, Muhammad Nagaske, said the Katsina State Students’ Week was organised to promote academic excellence, foster collaboration among students, encourage cultural exchange, and identify talents across institutions.
Nagaske noted that the programme provided a platform for students to interact, showcase their abilities, and contribute to the development of the state.
