Shettima’s Drive for Human Capital Development
Donatus Eleko
Vice President Kashim Shettima has consistently placed human capital development at the forefront of his public pronouncements. From addressing economic summits to engaging with educational stakeholders, his comments are saturated with the urgent need to invest in the nation’s most valuable resource: its people.
Indeed, in an increasingly interconnected and knowledge-driven world, the true wealth of any nation lies not just in its natural resources or physical infrastructure, but more profoundly in the capabilities of its people.
Human capital development, encompassing investments in education, health, skills, and overall well-being, is not merely a social good; it is the indispensable engine that drives sustainable economic growth, fosters innovation, and builds resilient and inclusive societies. For any country aspiring to progress in the 21st century, prioritising the development of its human capital is not an option – it is an imperative.
At its core, human capital development directly fuels economic expansion. A well-educated and skilled workforce is more productive, innovative, and adaptable to the demands of a dynamic global market.
Individuals equipped with relevant knowledge and competencies can contribute more effectively to the production of goods and services, leading to higher output and increased national income. For instance, countries that have heavily invested in technical and vocational training often witness a surge in their manufacturing and technology sectors, as a skilled labor pool attracts investment and drives innovation. Moreover, a healthy population experiences fewer lost workdays due to illness, contributing to consistent productivity and economic stability.
Beyond direct economic benefits, human capital development fosters a culture of innovation and technological advancement. A population with a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is better equipped to generate new ideas, develop cutting-edge technologies, and adapt to the rapid pace of technological change. This capacity for innovation provides a crucial competitive edge in the global economy, allowing nations to create high-value industries and attract talent and investment. Think of the technological powerhouses around the world; their success is inextricably linked to their commitment to nurturing a highly educated and skilled populace capable of pushing the boundaries of knowledge and invention.
No doubt, Shettima continues to emphasise that Nigeria’s demographic dividend, its youthful population brimming with potential, needs to be properly nurtured.
He emphasises that without nurturing this potential, the nation risks transforming its demographic dividend into a demographic disaster. He calls for a paradigm shift, advocating for investments in education, healthcare, and vocational training as the bedrock for sustainable economic growth and social stability.
Furthermore, he has continued to articulate a clear vision: a Nigeria where its citizens are empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in the 21st-century global economy.
He continuously speaks of fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating an enabling environment for human capital to flourish. This vision, if realised, could indeed unlock Nigeria’s vast potential and propel it towards a brighter future.
This Shettima reiterated during the week in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when he launched the state’s National Human Capital Development (HCD) Accelerator Project and the ARISE Human Capital Development Strategy.
He reiterated the country’s resolve to be positioned among the top 80 countries on the global Human Capital Index (HCI) by the year 2030.
This, according to the vice president can be achieved by enhancing the nation’s workforce capabilities and improving socio-economic outcomes.
Following the launch ceremony, the Vice President inspected ongoing work at several ARISE HCD projects, including model primary schools and the ARISE Park, an innovative environmental reclamation project.
Shettima, commended the state government for becoming the first to implement the national blueprint across all local government areas, noting that successful policies must be rooted in grassroots implementation.
“Every policy or programme that intervenes in the life of our people can only succeed if it’s rooted in the grassroots. The true wealth of any nation lies in the certainty of its human capital: the education of its children, the health of its citizens, and the productivity of its workforce,” Shettima said. The Vice President explained that the federal government has already introduced a second phase of the National Human Capital Development Programme (HCD 2.0), which builds on previous efforts with a greater focus on integration.
“At its core, HCD 2.0 is about integration and impact. It is built on the foundation of HCD 1.0 but goes further to incorporate cross-cutting themes. What Akwa Ibom State has shown us here isn’t just progress. It’s leadership,” he said.
Shettima emphasised the importance of data-driven policy implementation, announcing the launch of an HCD Dashboard to monitor key indicators with precision.
“We are deploying data not for reports, but for results. Because behind every number is a story: a child not vaccinated, a mother lost to childbirth, a youth with promise but no pathway.
“These are not mere statistics. They are realities. And we must confront them with urgency and compassion,” he stated. “With an under-five mortality rate of 80, compared to the national average of 110, and with only 3.5 percent of primary-age children out of school—far below the national average of 25.6 percent—your state is not merely compliant with our national vision. You are ahead of the curve,” he added.
As part of the national strategy, the federal government also unveiled Project Fuuku, a clean cookstove initiative that expands on a successful pilot in Nasarawa State.
“This intervention is more than a public health measure. It is a gender-sensitive, climate-conscious strategy that saves lives, preserves forests, and uplifts rural women burdened by indoor pollution and fuel scarcity,” Shettima explained.
To ensure the sustainability of these initiatives beyond political terms, the Vice President announced plans to institutionalise an HCD Fund.
According to him: “We are working to institutionalise the HCD Fund—to ensure that, no matter who occupies these offices tomorrow, the investments we make in people today will endure.
“If we must meet our target of reaching a Human Capital Index score of 0.6 and becoming a top-80 nation globally by 2030, we must act with boldness. Implementation must be swift. Data must guide us.
“Financing must be innovative. There’s no legacy that surpasses that of building our people. There’s no monument that would outlive the legacies of health, education, and opportunity.”
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State said human capital development was the bedrock of sustainable development, assuring that the state would continue to invest and collaborate with the National Coordinator of Human Capital Development in Nigeria.
He disclosed that the state government would send an Executive Bill to the state House of Assembly to domesticate the human capital development programme and assured that the state would continue to work with the Office of the Vice President to ensure that the programme scales down to local government councils.
Eno, commended the Vice President for putting together the building blocks of the initiative and leading its implementation and delivery frontally.
“We are thrilled that our state was selected as the first for the launch of this programme. This has further reinforced the fact that the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu doesn’t play politics with development, and this we deeply appreciate,” the Governor added. Also speaking, National Coordinator of Human Capital Development in Nigeria and Special Adviser to the President on NEC, Rukaiya El-Rufai, said Nigeria ranked 168 out of 174 countries in the human capital development index.
On that basis, she recalled that an emergency National Economic Council (NEC) was held in 2018, with some key donors in attendance, where the Council members, including all the state governors, made a firm commitment to the development of a human capital programme.
El-Rufai commended the Vice President and the Governor of Akwa Ibom for continuing with the initiative, which she said has a very long-term result framework, emphasising that continuity is indeed very important.
“Human Capital Development also improves health and well-being of the people, such that when they are born they have the best of schooling, effective healthcare and, thereby, can achieve their fullest potential,” she explained.
Ultimately, Shettima’s focus on human capital development is a welcome and necessary discourse. Regardless of the underlying motivations, his emphasis on this critical issue has the potential to raise awareness and galvanize action. The nation must hold the government accountable, demanding concrete steps and measurable progress.
