Despite calls for prudence, Gov Radda spends N595m on foreign trips, another N902m on local transport in 9 months
By Aminu Abaubakar
A SolaceBase review of the Katsina State budget performance document as of the third quarter of 2025 has raised fresh concerns over the state’s spending priorities, particularly in sectors affecting public welfare.
The document, which details expenditure between January and September 2025, shows significant allocations to travel and administrative items, compared to relatively lower spending on essential public services.
According to the budget performance report, the state governor spent N595 million on international trips within the nine-month period. In addition to this, another N902 million was spent on local transportation. Combined, this means a total of N1.4 billion was spent by the governor alone on foreign and domestic trips between January and September 2025.
This figure stands in stark contrast to the spending on essential public services. For instance, the state spent only N348.7 million on capital expenditure for its Rural Water and Sanitation Agency—an amount significantly lower than the N595 million devoted specifically to international trips undertaken by the governor.
The disparity further underscores a long-standing debate about prioritization of resources in the state, particularly in areas tied directly to public health and basic amenities.
Travel-related expenditure is not the only budget item drawing public attention. Despite calls for increased prudence in state spending, the Katsina State budget for 2025 shows that N4 billion was allocated for the expansion of Katsina House in Abuja.
The budget item is listed as “Construction of Additional Structure at Katsina House, Abuja.” This allocation comes despite the fact that between January and October 2024, the state had already spent N920.4 million on the same project, according to official records.
A further review of the 2025 budget by SolaceBase highlights substantial planned spending on foodstuffs, catering materials, refreshments, and meals.
The state plans to spend N2.5 billion on these items in 2025 alone. Out of this amount, N1.485 billion is designated specifically for foodstuffs and catering materials supply. This represents a continuation of previous spending trends, as between January and September 2024, the state had already spent N1.1 billion on foodstuffs and catering materials supply.
Additionally, another N1.1 billion is earmarked for refreshments and meals in 2025. Records show that between January and September 2024, N336.3 million was spent on refreshments and meals. These figures reflect a consistent pattern of recurring high administrative expenses within the state’s budget framework.
While spending on administrative and comfort-related items remains high, Katsina State continues to face significant public health challenges resulting from inadequate access to clean water and sanitation.
Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows that the state recorded 21 cholera cases between the first and ninth weeks of 2025. These figures underscore the persistent vulnerability of communities in the state to cholera and other waterborne diseases.
The cholera trend in Katsina is not new. In June 2024, the Katsina State Government confirmed 110 suspected cholera cases in various local government areas. At the time, Kabir Suleiman, Director of Epidemiology at the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, disclosed the development during a press briefing, noting the spread across multiple locations.
Katsina’s history with cholera outbreaks offers a troubling reminder of the consequences of longstanding underinvestment in sanitation.
In September 2021, the then Executive Secretary of the Katsina Primary Health Care Development Agency, Shamsudeen Yahaya, reported that more than 150 people had died from cholera, with at least 5,677 cases recorded. These figures were compiled from hospitals and primary health care centres across the state, reflecting the wide reach of the outbreak.
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Earlier, in 2018, another cholera outbreak affected six local government areas, resulting in eleven deaths. Five of the fatalities were recorded in Funtua Local Government, while six occurred in Kusada Local Government.
These repeated outbreaks have placed Katsina among Nigerian states that continue to struggle with preventable diseases caused by inadequate sanitation infrastructure and limited access to safe water.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics reinforces these concerns. Katsina ranks among states with poor access to basic sanitation services under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) index. The data shows that 67% of Kano residents lack access to basic sanitation, followed by 60% in Adamawa, 59% in Borno, 55% in Gombe, 55% in Kaduna, and 50% in Katsina.
The figures continue with 45% in the Federal Capital Territory, 42% in Jigawa, 41% in Bauchi, 41% in Sokoto, 39% in Niger, 38% in Zamfara, 35% in Yobe, 35% in Kebbi, 33% in Taraba, 30% in Nasarawa, 27% in Plateau, 25% in Kogi, 24% in Benue, and 14% in Kwara.
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