Dikko Umaru Radda is the Governor of Katsina State, President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state and one of the states worst affected by banditry. A former teacher and agricultural economist, he helped found the APC and ran the federal agency for small businesses before succeeding Aminu Masari in 2023.1

Early life and career

Radda was born on 10 September 1969 in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area. He trained as a teacher and studied agricultural economics at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and Ahmadu Bello University. He was a founding officer of the APC, serving as its national welfare secretary in 2014–2015, then Chief of Staff to Governor Masari and Director-General of SMEDAN.1

Governor (2023–present)

Radda won the March 2023 election and took office on 29 May 2023.1 His main challenge has been banditry in the state’s rural areas. He created a state security outfit, the Katsina Community Watch Corps, and at first said his government would not negotiate with “criminals”.2 From 2025 some local communities and officials pursued peace talks with bandit groups, including a meeting attended by a wanted gang leader; supporters said the talks reduced attacks, while critics warned that negotiations had failed before and rewarded violence.34

2027

In May 2026 the Katsina APC affirmed Radda as its consensus governorship candidate for 2027.5

References

  1. Dikko Umaru Radda. Wikipedia, accessed October 2026. ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. We won’t negotiate with criminals, Katsina govt declares. The Guardian Nigeria, January 2025. ↩

  3. Wanted banditry kingpin attends peace talks in Katsina as state opts for negotiations. AllAfrica, September 2025. ↩

  4. Why negotiations will not end banditry in Katsina. AllAfrica, April 2025. ↩

  5. Radda clinches Katsina APC governorship ticket for second term. Arise News, May 2026. ↩