Nigeria’s Greatest Untapped Resource Is Its People – Expert

Global Academic Executive Coach and Human Development Expert, Dr. Omotola Onaneye-Babajide, has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s development strategy, urging policymakers, business leaders, educators, and stakeholders to prioritize human capital development as the nation’s most valuable resource.

Speaking recently on the future of Nigeria’s economic growth, Dr. Onaneye-Babajide argued that while successive governments have focused on natural resources, infrastructure, and foreign investment as drivers of national prosperity, the country’s greatest asset has remained largely overlooked: its people.

According to the expert, Nigeria’s population of approximately 238 million people, coupled with a median age of about 18 years and a youthful demographic in which more than 60 per cent are under the age of 25, represents one of the most significant economic opportunities available to any nation in the 21st century.

“Every year, an estimated 3.5 million young Nigerians enter the labour market. This is not merely a demographic statistic; it is an economic opportunity that few countries have enjoyed in modern history,” she stated.

Drawing lessons from countries such as South Korea and Singapore, Dr. Onaneye-Babajide noted that both nations transformed their economies not through natural resource wealth but through deliberate investments in education, skills development, workforce readiness, and effective governance.

“South Korea and Singapore treated human capital as critical infrastructure.

They invested heavily in their people and built globally competitive economies.

Nigeria already possesses something these countries once lacked—scale. The challenge is whether we can convert population into productivity,” she said.

She emphasized that Nigeria’s growing population should not be viewed solely as a burden but as a strategic advantage capable of generating a substantial demographic dividend if supported by quality education, healthcare, skills acquisition, and employment opportunities.

The executive coach observed that the country’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is already demonstrating the potential of a knowledge-driven economy, contributing significantly to economic expansion and creating new pathways for innovation and entrepreneurship.

However, she warned that persistent gaps in technical, vocational, and digital skills continue to limit the country’s ability to fully harness its youthful workforce.

Dr. Onaneye-Babajide advocated for stronger alignment between educational institutions and industry needs, greater respect for vocational education, and the integration of digital skills into mainstream learning.

“The new oil is human capability. Oil prices fluctuate, but human potential compounds over time.

Nigeria’s future competitiveness will depend on how effectively we develop the talents, skills, and creativity of our people,” she said.

She concluded that the next chapter of Nigeria’s development story will be determined not by the resources beneath its soil, but by the investments made in the people above it.

“If Nigeria unlocks the full potential of its citizens, the next fifty years may not be about catching up with the world. They may be about leading it,” she added.