KATSINA STATE, pSPI REPORT 2025
Home of Hospitality
Overall pSPI Rank
32nd out of 36 states & the FCT
pSPI Ranking:
(Excellent 2-Star Performer)
People & Culture
A State of Heritage and Unity
Katsina State, located in northwestern Nigeria, is known as the “Home of Hospitality.” It has a population of almost 10 million people and covers a landmass of 24,192 sq km across 34 LGAs. The state is predominantly Hausa-Fulani, with other ethnic groups like the Kanuri and Tiv also present. While Hausa is widely spoken, English is used in formal settings and education.
Katsina’s people deeply value traditions, strong family ties, and social harmony, with social gatherings such as naming ceremonies, weddings, and religious festivals playing a key role in community life. The state’s rich cultural heritage is highlighted by the grand Durbar Festival, a spectacular display of horse riding that reflects Islamic traditions and royal heritage. Traditional music and dance are an integral part of celebrations, with instruments like the Kalangu and Gurmi commonly used. Islam significantly influences governance, education, and social structures, shaping the way of life in Katsina.
Politics
A Home of Two Presidents
Katsina holds a special place in Nigeria’s political history, having produced two former presidents—Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari. This legacy makes Katsina a critical player in national politics, as its electoral choices often reflect broader national trends.
Traditionally a PDP stronghold, the state swung to APC with Buhari’s rise, and has remained under APC’s control ever since. However, recent economic and security challenges have eroded APC’s dominance, giving PDP a renewed sense of optimism.
Governor Dikko Radda’s ability to address insecurity and economic hardship will determine whether APC remains dominant, or if Katsina follows the shifting tides of Nigerian politics.
Economy –Agriculture and Trade Drive Growth
Katsina State’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture, which employs a significant portion of its population. The state is a major producer of millet, sorghum, maize, rice, and groundnuts, while cattle rearing also plays a crucial role in its agrarian economy.
Trade and commerce thrive due to Katsina’s strategic location on key trade routes, with major markets like Katsina Central Market, Daura Market, and Funtua Market serving as hubs for livestock, textiles, and consumer goods. Additionally, the state holds untapped mineral reserves, including limestone, gypsum, kaolin, and clay, presenting opportunities for future economic expansion.
Key Economic Indicators (pSPI 2025)
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IGR Per Capita | ₦1,805 |  35th |
| IGR Per km² | ₦742,627 | 24th |
| IGR Per Mineral Resources | ₦5.99 billion | 14th |
| IGR Per Trade Route | ₦4.49 billion | 23rd |
| IGR to Total Revenue | 10% | 33rd |
What this means:
The state struggles with low revenue generation per capita (35th) and weak fiscal independence (33rd in IGR to total revenue). While resource-based revenue is relatively strong (14th), overall revenue density (24th in IGR per km²) and trade route earnings (23rd) remain mid-tier, indicating a need for diversified revenue streams and improved financial sustainability.
pSPI Performance - Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Agricultural Productivity: Katsina remains a key food-producing state in Nigeria.
Political Relevance: A key player in national politics and leadership.
Weaknesses
Low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): Ranked 35th in IGR per capita.
Severe Security Challenges: Ranked 35th in security, with high rates of banditry and kidnapping.
Limited Infrastructure Development: Poor road networks, water supply issues, and inadequate healthcare services.
Citizen Satisfaction - Public Perception
Despite its economic potential, Katsina’s public service delivery faces significant challenges:
| Service Area | Rank | % Satisfied |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Roads | 15th | 40% |
| Honesty of Public Servants | 9th | 32% |
| Security of Lives and Property | 35th | 13% |
| Quality of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 33rd | 19% |
| Affordability of Public Primary and Secondary Education | 25th | 44% |
| Quality of Public Hospitals | 27th | 24% |
| Affordability of Public Hospitals | 24th | 24% |
| Gaining Meaningful Employment | 27th | 7% |
| Awareness of Government Policy and Programmes | 18th | 33% |
| Government Support for Local Businesses | 23rd | 16% |
| Available, Effective, and Safe Public Transportation | 13th | 36% |
| Availability of Clean Water Supply | 16th | 26% |
| Cleanliness of the Environment | 20th | 27% |
| Buying, Registering, and Owning Landed Property | 19th | 40% |
| Availability of Legal Economic Opportunities | 21th | 22% |
| Attitude of State-Controlled Law Enforcement Agents | 23rd | 50% |
Relocation Trends & Insights
Top Preferred Relocation States & Possible Reasons
Kaduna State
Better economic opportunities and governance
Kano State
Business-friendly environment
Katsina State
Proximity and cultural familiarity
FCT Abuja
Improved security and Infrastructure
Lagos State
Employment opportunities and infrastructure
Least Preferred States & Reasons
Zamfara State
Security concerns
Kano state
Perceived political tension and overpopulation
Lagos State
Overpopulation and cost of living
Katsina State
Security and infrastructure concerns
Jigawa State
Fewer job opportunities
Local Government & Grassroot Governance
While many respondents in Katsina are familiar with local leadership, communication remains an issue:
do not know their LGA chairman
unaware of projects at the LGA level
unaware of socioeconomic programmes
There is a notable gap between awareness and active involvement, highlighting the need for improved local-level transparency and outreach.
Survey Respondent Overview
Gender
Age Distribution
Employment
Top LGAs Represented
Katsina (24%), Funtua (12%), Dutsin-Ma (7%), Daura (7%), Malumfashi (3%)
Citizens’ Recommendations - What The People Want
282 survey respondents comprising both residents and indigenous people highlighted the following key demands
- Make Communities Safer: Residents are deeply worried about rising insecurity, especially in border LGAs. They want the state to act faster on local policing, rural safety, and protection of transport corridors.
- Fix Public Schools and Learning Gaps: People are asking for better teaching, cleaner school environments, and more support for low-income families struggling with school-related expenses.
- Create Real Job Opportunities: The frustration around unemployment is widespread. Young people are calling for empowerment programmes that go beyond short-term fixes and deliver marketable skills and funding.
- Improve Health Facilities and Affordability: Citizens highlight the shortage of well-equipped hospitals and the burden of medical costs. They want more accessible care in their communities, not just urban centres.
- Support Local Traders and Entrepreneurs: Many residents want fair access to business grants, market infrastructure, and state procurement opportunities for small businesses and cooperatives.
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pSPI Recommendations - Action Plan for Kastina
Based on the pSPI data and citizen feedback, Kastina urgently needs to:
- Enhance Security and Civil Protection Mechanisms: Katsina ranks low in security, with more than half (65%) of citizens dissatisfied with safety. With the launch of the Katsina State watch corps, the state must urgently scale up local security collaborations, invest in technology-enabled surveillance, and rebuild trust in law enforcement agencies.
- Revamp Education Infrastructure and Quality: Despite a relatively better affordability. Katsina ranks moderate in education quality, with 53% dissatisfied. Addressing teacher-student ratios, upgrading rural schools, and standardising basic education delivery are essential priorities.
- Drive Job Creation and Youth Empowerment: Katsina is 27th in employment, with 67% of citizens dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with job availability. There’s a pressing need to strengthen entrepreneurship hubs, expand vocational training, and attract private sector investments to boost employment.
- Strengthen Healthcare Access and Affordability: Healthcare quality (27th) and affordability (24th) remain weak points. Citizens report long wait times and rising costs. Investments in primary health centres, rural outreach, and recruitment of health workers will improve outcomes and equity.
- Promote Business Growth through Local Support: Katsina ranks 5th in Ease of Doing Business, a strong foundation to build on. However, it ranks poorly in support for local businesses, suggesting a gap between policy and on-the-ground impact. Bridging this with financing access, market linkages, and simplified processes will catalyse MSME growth.
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Katsina State 2025
has great economic potential but faces severe challenges in security, governance, and infrastructure. To improve its PSPI ranking, Katsina must prioritise safety, education, and economic development while ensuring greater public accountability. With stronger leadership and strategic investments, Katsina can overcome its challenges and achieve sustainable growth for its people.