Governor Dikko Radda has sworn in four new permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen his administration’s ongoing reforms aimed at building a more efficient and effective civil service in Katsina State.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has reinforced his administration’s commitment to a merit-driven and professional civil service with the swearing-in of four new Permanent Secretaries, declaring that competence—not connections—will continue to determine career progression in the state.
The appointments are expected to further strengthen Governor Radda’s ongoing reforms aimed at building a more efficient, accountable and citizen-focused civil service in Katsina State.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries—Abdu Usman, Sani Suleiman, Shamsuddeen Suleiman and Hussaini Yanduna—took the Oath of Office on Wednesday at the Government House Council Chamber in Katsina.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Governor Radda said the appointments reflected his administration’s resolve to institutionalise fairness, transparency and excellence in the public service.
“The entire selection process was conducted in accordance with established civil service procedures. These appointments were based on merit, and those sworn in today earned their positions through hard work, competence and dedication,” the governor said.
He congratulated the new permanent secretaries and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating integrity, accountability, professionalism and unwavering commitment to public service.
Governor Radda stressed that the oath of office should be regarded as more than a ceremonial exercise, describing it as a lifelong commitment to ethical leadership and responsible governance.
“The oath of office is not merely a ceremony. It is a commitment to integrity, accountability and faithful service. If you live by its principles, you will succeed and leave behind a legacy worthy of emulation,” he said.
The governor noted that the appointments reflected inclusiveness, with the successful candidates drawn from different Local Government Areas across the state.
He, however, expressed concern that some councils were unable to produce eligible candidates because they lacked officers with the required qualifications and grade levels.
He expressed optimism that sustained investment in human capital development would enable every local government area to produce qualified officers capable of competing for top positions in the future.
While reaffirming his administration’s civil service reform agenda, Governor Radda insisted that every public servant must have an equal opportunity to rise through dedication and performance rather than personal relationships or family influence.
“Our goal is to build a civil service where every individual has the opportunity to rise based on merit—not because of who they know, where they come from, or family connections. Merit, competence, integrity and hard work must always come first,” he said.
The governor also directed the new permanent secretaries to uphold fairness, transparency and due process in appointments, promotions and career development within their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He also called on directors and senior civil servants to invest in mentoring younger officers through knowledge transfer and capacity building to ensure continuity and sustain ongoing reforms.
The Katsina governor expressed confidence that the new Permanent Secretaries would strengthen institutional efficiency and improve service delivery across government establishments.
Radda restated his administration’s commitment to building a modern civil service by strengthening institutional capacity, promoting professionalism and accelerating digital transformation across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries bring decades of experience from the public service and health sector.
Usman holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration and has over 30 years of experience across key government institutions, including KSACDP/IFAD, KTARDA, Government House, KATSACA, government boards and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Suleiman is a medical doctor and Fellow of the West African College of Physicians whose career has spanned ABUTH, General Hospitals, the Ministry of Health and the Hospital Services Management Board. Yahaya Suleiman holds advanced qualifications in Health Economics and Public Health and previously served as Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, where he spearheaded major primary healthcare reforms.
Yanduna is a public health professional with qualifications in Dental Health, Community Health and Public Health. He has served in general hospitals and the Primary Health Care Management Agency, and previously led both the Nigeria Labour Congress (Katsina State Council) and the Joint Health Sector Unions.
