Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has opened automatic civil service employment to all Katsina indigenes who graduate with first class degrees from any higher institution across Nigeria, significantly widening a policy that previously covered only institutions within the state.

Radda announced the expansion on Sunday at the grand finale and award presentation of the maiden Katsina State Students' Week, held at Bayero University, Kano. The event drew Katsina students studying across institutions in Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Borno and several other states, with participants recognised for outstanding performances in sports, academic competitions and cultural displays.

The Governor traced the origins of the policy to his assumption of office, when automatic employment was first introduced for first class graduates of Umaru Musa Yar'adua University and other tertiary institutions located within Katsina State. Sunday's announcement formally extended that guarantee to Katsina students in institutions nationwide. "Today, I am pleased to expand the offer to all Katsina State students across the country who graduate with first class degrees from this year onward," Radda declared.

He framed the decision as a long term investment in the quality of the state's public service. "This decision is deliberate. If we recruit a significant number of first class graduates into the civil service, Katsina State will have one of the most efficient and productive civil services in the country within the next 10 to 15 years," the Governor stated. He added that such a workforce would be capable of competing favourably with any state in the federation and rivalling services at the federal level.

Radda also spoke on his administration's broader education commitments, disclosing that the government had recruited 10,000 teachers, constructed new schools and rehabilitated existing educational facilities across the state. He noted that outstanding scholarship obligations had been settled and bursary allowances increased to support students and reduce the number of out of school children.

Bayero University Vice Chancellor Prof Haruna Musa Muhammad described Radda as a student friendly governor, commending the upward review of the state scholarship scheme and expressing the university's willingness to partner with the Katsina State Government on education development.

The convener of the Students' Week and Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters, Muhammad Nagaske, said the event was designed to promote collaboration, encourage academic excellence, foster cultural exchange and identify talent among Katsina students in institutions across the country.