Katsina Governor Radda engages Xuzhou University of Technology, strengthens educational ties with China

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By Anthony Maliki, Abuja

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s strong commitment to global education partnerships with a landmark visit to Xuzhou University of Technology (XZUT) in Jiangsu Province, China.

The visit, held on Sunday, June 16, 2025, focused on strengthening academic, cultural, and institutional ties between XZUT and Katsina State.

Governor Radda was received by the university’s leadership during a high-level meeting chaired by Professor Tan Wenyi, Vice President and Secretary of the CPC Committee of XZUT. The engagement brought together senior academic officials and deans from various faculties.

During the discussions, Governor Radda shared his administration’s vision for transforming education in Katsina through strategic international collaborations. “We are here to build something meaningful,” the Governor said. “This is about partnership not just to send students abroad, but to redefine how we deliver education at home.”

The Governor emphasized that his administration is working to create long-term structures that equip Katsina’s youth with global exposure and relevant skills. He noted that investing in human capital development is not a choice but a necessity for any society seeking sustainable growth.

Professor Tan Wenyi commended Katsina State for its education reforms and applauded the outstanding performance of students from the state currently studying at XZUT. He cited examples like Nafiu, a Katsina student who won top honors in a Chinese intercultural competition, and four others recently selected for a prestigious national Chinese Classics Recitation.

The XZUT leadership proposed a broader framework for collaboration, including sending Chinese language and professional lecturers to Katsina, co-developing academic curricula, launching dual-degree training programs, and setting up joint research and innovation initiatives.

Governor Radda welcomed the proposals and expressed Katsina readiness to actively participate in meaningful knowledge exchange. “We are deliberate in our education reforms,” he said. “This partnership is part of our strategy to shape a future where young people from Katsina can compete, create, and lead confidently.”

He further emphasized the inclusive nature of the initiative, saying: “This is more than diplomacy it’s an investment in human potential. We want our students to gain global exposure while remaining connected to their identity and communities.”

Both sides agreed to move swiftly on several key deliverables, including academic visits from XZUT to Katsina, faculty and teacher exchange programs, and collaborative research projects in priority sectors such as science, technology, and agriculture.

Governor Radda was accompanied on the visit by his wife Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda; Principal Private Secretary, Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Lead Consultant, Haroun Abba Gana; and China Liaison Officer, William Xu. Also present were four Katsina State–sponsored students currently studying at Xi’an Shiyou University, whose presence added a personal touch and symbolized the tangible outcomes of past partnerships.