Vice President Kashim Shettima has taken decisive steps to bolster the federal government’s Human Capital Development (HCD) program by approving the constitution of a multi-sectoral committee.
The committee, consisting of federal and state government representatives, donors, and partners, will convene regularly to assess and drive progress toward the program’s objectives.
The decision materialized following a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, involving prominent figures such as World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, Chairman of Dangote Foundation Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr Tony Elumelu, among others, on Monday.
VP Shettima emphasized the necessity for investing in human capital development to create a globally competitive and adaptable workforce, underscoring its pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s economy.
He highlighted the gathering as a collective recommitment towards harnessing human potential for economic prosperity, linking it to Nigeria’s future advancement.
Acknowledging the influential roles of Nigerian businessmen Dangote and Elumelu, VP Shettima emphasized their positive impacts on society, emphasizing the criticality of quality leadership in national progress.
Also speaking, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, reinforced the government’s commitment to putting people at the centre of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ emphasizing the significance of investing in human resources.
He further highlighted the importance of data accuracy in program implementation.
Alhaji Dangote praised VP Shettima’s foresight in convening the meeting, affirming the Tinubu administration’s dedication to addressing human capital development challenges.
He urged stakeholders to combat the challenge of inaccurate data, considering it a significant obstacle in the HCD initiative.
On his part, Elumelu pledged support for the federal government’s HCD initiatives, assuring unwavering commitment and describing them as laudable.
“We will support you; our commitment is guaranteed. This is a laudable idea,” Elumelu stated.
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Chaudhuri, pledged the bank’s support in technical assistance and database strengthening for the HCD program.
The HCD program, launched by the National Economic Council in March 2018, aims to tackle Nigeria’s human capital challenges, focusing on education, health, and labour force participation.
It operates through a comprehensive framework and a multi-stakeholder approach involving representatives from government, the private sector, and development agencies.
The program aims to position Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity by addressing critical human capital development areas.
