The initiative, announced by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda during a state executive council meeting, underscores the administration’s commitment to honoring the memory of the departed while addressing longstanding infrastructural deficits in burial sites.

Governor Radda, who highlighted the cultural and religious significance of well-maintained graveyards in Islamic traditions predominant in the state, stated that the funds would be disbursed immediately to enable local governments to commence work. 

“Graveyards are sacred places where we remember our loved ones and seek spiritual solace. For too long, many of these sites have been neglected, leading to dilapidation and health hazards. This allocation is a step towards restoring dignity to these important community assets,” Radda said in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Ibrahim Kaula.

The approval comes at a time when Katsina, like many northern states, grapples with challenges such as insecurity, economic pressures, and infrastructural decay exacerbated by banditry and flooding. 

Officials noted that overgrown weeds, collapsed fences, eroded pathways, and poor drainage in graveyards have not only desecrated these spaces but also posed risks of disease outbreaks, particularly during rainy seasons. 

The renovation projects will include clearing vegetation, repairing perimeter walls, constructing proper access roads, installing lighting, and ensuring adequate water supply for maintenance.

Dr. Aisha Bello, the State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, explained that the initiative aligns with the Radda administration’s broader agenda to enhance environmental sustainability and community well-being. 

“Beyond the spiritual aspect, renovated graveyards will serve as organized public spaces that promote hygiene and reduce the incidence of vector-borne diseases. Each local government will form committees to oversee the projects, ensuring transparency and accountability in fund utilization,” she added.

Local government chairmen have welcomed the development, with the Chairman of Katsina Local Government Area, Alhaji Sani Umar, describing it as “a timely intervention that will foster unity and respect for our traditions.” 

He assured that work in his area, which includes several historic graveyards, would begin within the week, prioritizing sites with the most urgent needs.

This allocation totals approximately ₦680 million statewide, drawn from the state’s 2025 budget surplus and federal allocations. 

It follows similar efforts by the government, such as the recent ₦500 million for rural road repairs and environmental clean-up campaigns. 

Religious leaders, including the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman, have praised the move, calling it a “commendable act of piety that reflects good governance.”