Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State on Wednesday commissioned the newly established Katsina Trade Facilitation Centre, a historic breakthrough that positions the State as a rising force in national and global commerce.
Speaking at the event in Katsina, Governor Radda described the achievement as a bold step that aligns the State with global trade standards and unlocks unprecedented opportunities for economic growth and market expansion.
He explained that the centre stands as proof of his administration’s commitment to building an enabling environment where businesses can start, grow, collaborate, and compete not only within Nigeria but across international borders.
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The governor noted that the centre will serve as a critical engine for import and export processes, enhancing Katsina’s competitiveness and strengthening the State’s foothold in global markets.
Reflecting on his earlier national experience at SMEDAN, Governor Radda recalled “being part of the team involved in establishing Nigeria’s National Trade Facilitation Centre. Today,” he stated, “Katsina is building upon that foundation, bringing global trade architecture to the State level for the first time in the North-West.”
“This Centre,” he said, “is commissioned for the benefit of Katsina and indeed, for Nigeria as a whole.”
The Governor thanked the consultants, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and all partners who contributed to the centre’s success. He announced that he has already issued a directive for the creation of coordinating trade offices in all 34 LGAs, a move aimed at decentralising trade activities, energising local economies, and improving the quality of life for residents across the State.
Earlier, Yusuf Jirdede, the Commissioner for Commerce and Tourism, described the centre as one of the major legacies of the present administration.
He observed that for many years, Katsina’s products were perceived as limited to local markets, but this centre has completely changed that perception. “The facility now gives Katsina direct access to the World Trade Centre, offering the State international visibility and giving global investors a window into its products, opportunities, and potential.”
Bala Mahmoud Abubakar, State Coordinator of the Bauchi Trade Facilitation Centre, stressed that Katsina is emerging as a national model in trade facilitation, noting that it is the first State in Nigeria to pass formal legislation before establishing such a centre, a development he described as “remarkable and nationally significant.”
