Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that Nigeria must pay attention to Human Capital Development (HCD) to drive the desired economic growth. He made this call at the Peer Review Meeting of the HCD State Focal Persons which was held on April 4, 2023, in Abuja. This meeting is a program held by the National Economic Council (NEC). Osinbajo, who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Ade Ipaye, emphasized that human capital development plays a critical role in tackling poverty and ensuring participatory and sustainable economic growth.
He urged the focal persons not to relent in sensitizing state governments to ensure the impacts of the program were felt at the grassroots. Highlighting the progress made so far in accelerating HCDs in Nigeria, the vice president said that state governments have shown their commitment to the NEC program by prioritizing HCD investments and facilitating national discussions on HCD challenges and the potential solutions. This is part of the plans of implementing the program so that HCD, which is a key metric in measuring how a country is fairing, will be sustained and expanded.
Since inception, HCD focal persons meeting has made incredible strides.
Human capital development is the process of acquiring and increasing the number of persons who have the skills, education and experience that are critical for the economic growth and development of a country. The vice president said that tremendous strides have been made in the implementation of the program at the national and sub-national levels since its inception. Some of the notable achievements include the inauguration of the national HCD strategy, constitution of state HCD councils and technical working groups.
Other achievements include the development of national HCD communication strategy, the organization of regional HCD conferences, and strategic partnerships and alliances being forged across several stakeholders’ groups. Osinbajo is optimistic that the successes achieved so far with the program will provide the needed confidence in implementing its third phase successfully. He said the objectives will be met and the 2030 on HCD target will also be achieved across the three thematic areas of education, standard of living, and health of humans.
Community-based demonstration of the program in its simplest form.
He said, “This phase is crucial to national success as it would be taking HCD to the grassroots where change is most needed and advocacy critical in where the program is adopted.” The third phase of the program includes the inauguration of the community-based demonstration of the HCD program in its simplest form. The successes recorded could also be replicated across various communities in each Local Government Areas across Nigeria. Extending his gratitude to the focal persons for committing to the program, Osinbajo said the successes would not have been achieved without their driving it and reminding the government of its importance.
Miss Yosola Akinbi, Coordinator of Core Working Group, HCD in Nigeria, said that critical areas of the implementation and management of the program must happen at the grassroots. She noted that HCD was the software of any development. She also stated that the government and its citizens must build a country where the skills are retained. Also speaking at the meeting, some of the focal persons during their state presentations said that the core of the HCD drive was the empowerment of the youth to have the capacity and skills needed in creating and seeking employment.
State focal persons share their participation in the program.
Mr. Issac Uduak said that the administration of Governor Udom in Akwa Ibom took labor force participation seriously through its industrialization policy that leveraged a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to revolutionize industries in Africa. The state government has gone beyond mere policy implementation to ensuring the effective execution of its industrialization policies in creating wealth for its people. Mrs. Habiba Suleiman, Nassarawa Focal Person, said that the program in the state concentrated on youth development. She said youths were trained in courses such as team building, work ethics and business models. Mr. Amos Nuhu of Adamawa said that the state built the capacity of 1,000 health workers under the program while improving the utilization of child health and nutrition.
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Nigeria’s HCD must be sustained—Osinbajo. – Vice President said human capital development drives economic growth. – Express your point of view.
Our human capital hasn’t even developed at all not to talk of sustenance. We need to improve upon the human capital , so we can have better innovations and developments from people.
Nigeria’s HCD strategy must be sustained to foster sustainable development, reduce poverty levels, promote economic growth and social progress, and enhance long-term human development outcomes. The government and other stakeholders must prioritize investments in education, healthcare, innovation, and job creation to build a robust, resilient, and prosperous society.
Human capital development is important in every economy, the best way to develop human capital is through education which currently on a mid level in Nigeria
For the economy growth of the country we should improve our human capital development so it can help our economy where we can increase skill and experience people in the country
Talking about human capital development, it should be part of the paramount factors to be consider and given utmost priority because it’s very important and will have a telling effect on our economy i whatsoever way we position it.
Human capital development is the major issue that drive the economy of a country and all hands must be on deck to improve it.When human capital development is maintain properly,the economy of the country will increase.
It’s fantastic that improving human capital plays a crucial role in combating hunger and promoting interactive and environmentally friendly growth; this is the direction in which we should be heading if we want to see faster progress.
It is a significant assumption to make that the primary objective of the HCD initiative was to equip young people with the knowledge and abilities necessary for generating new jobs and looking for existing ones.
Nigeria’s HCD must be sustained—Osinbajo. Yes human capital is very important for the growth of the country and development of economy.
I agree with osinbajo on building our human capital development because it will lead to low poverty rate in the country and more people will be enjoying , which is what we all want.
Human Capital Development is very crucial and vital to the development and improvement of an economy. Every state actors and governing bodies should champion the creation of awareness and be actively involve in training more people to become skilled, well educated and highly experienced for nation building. When more people passes through the HCD programs and the Federal Government enable economic friendly polices and readily available basic amenities, it will reduce poverty and crime rate in the country.
Human Capital Development is very important to the growth and development of a nation. Federal and State Government should invest in this line of idea proposed by the vice-president Yemi Osinbajo to improve and develop the economy. These will lead to the training of more skilled, educated and well experienced people in the society thereby reducing the rate of poverty, criminal activities and terrorism.