The Katsina State Government has allocated N3.33 billion to launch a Graduate Entrepreneurship Programme aimed at equipping young graduates with practical skills, mentorship and startup support to build sustainable businesses.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Malik Anas, during a press briefing in Katsina, where he outlined the economic priorities embedded in the proposed N857 billion 2026 budget.
According to the commissioner, the administration of Dikko Umaru Radda has also set aside N10 billion for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to expand access to finance, stimulate local production and strengthen small-scale enterprises across the state.
He said the N3.33 billion Graduate Entrepreneurship Programme is designed to move beyond skills acquisition by integrating mentorship and startup funding, enabling beneficiaries to establish viable ventures rather than remain job seekers.
In addition, the government allocated N10 billion to the Social Investment Programme to support vulnerable households, while N7.68 billion was earmarked for palliatives to cushion the effects of prevailing economic pressures on residents.
Alhaji Anas explained that the economic provisions in the 2026 budget align with Governor Radda’s “Building Your Future” agenda, which places economic empowerment and job creation at the centre of the administration’s development strategy.
He expressed optimism that effective implementation of the initiatives would strengthen local value chains, deepen financial inclusion and improve living standards across the state.
For MSMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly recent graduates, the proposed allocations signal expanded access to funding, structured mentorship and state-backed support that could lower entry barriers and stimulate grassroots enterprise growth in Katsina.
