From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving a top-80 ranking on the global Human Capital Index (HCI) by 2030, emphasizing the importance of grassroots implementation and data-driven policies to transform the nation’s socioeconomic landscape.
Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, Shettima launched the state’s National Human Capital Development (HCD) Accelerator Project and the ARISE Human Capital Development Strategy.
According to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President described the federal government’s target as “ambitious yet achievable,” Shettima outlined the vision for a healthier, better-educated, and empowered Nigeria. “Our targets are ambitious, yet achievable. We aim to position Nigeria among the top 80 countries on the Human Capital Index, reaching a score of 0.6 by 2030,” he said. “These metrics represent more than just numbers; they signify real change in the lives of our people—access to quality healthcare, improved educational outcomes, expanded opportunities for meaningful employment, and a society that remains resilient in the face of global challenges”.
Shettima commended Akwa Ibom for becoming the first state to fully implement the national HCD blueprint across all local government areas. “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 its human capital: the education of its children, the health of its citizens, and the productivity of its workforce,” he noted.
Highlighting Akwa Ibom’s achievements, Shettima said, “With an under-five mortality rate of 80 compared to the national average of 110, and with only 3.5% of primary-age children out of school—far below the national average of 25.6%—your state is not merely compliant with our national vision. You are ahead of the curve”.
The Vice President unveiled HCD 2.0, a second phase of the National Human Capital Development Programme that builds on previous efforts with a focus on integration and measurable outcomes. “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,” Shettima explained.
He also announced a new 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 we must confront with urgency and compassion,” he emphasized.
As part of efforts to improve public health and environmental sustainability, Shettima launched Project Fuuku, a clean cookstove initiative aimed at reducing indoor pollution and empowering rural women. “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,” he said.
To ensure continuity beyond political cycles, Shettima announced plans to institutionalize an HCD Fund. “We are working to institutionalize the HCD Fund—to ensure that no matter who occupies these offices tomorrow, the investments we make in people today will endure,” he stated.
He added, “If we must meet our target of reaching an HCI 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”.
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Eno pledged continued collaboration with federal authorities to advance human capital development initiatives in his state. “Human capital development is the bedrock of sustainable development,” Eno said, adding that his administration would send an Executive Bill to domesticate these programmes at the local level.
“We are thrilled that our state was selected as the first for this programme launch,” Eno remarked. “This has further reinforced that the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu doesn’t play politics with development”.
National Coordinator for Human Capital Development in Nigeria, Rukaiya El-Rufai, highlighted Nigeria’s current ranking—168 out of 174 countries on the HCI—and stressed the need for urgent action. “Human capital development improves health and well-being such that when people are born they have access to schooling and effective healthcare to achieve their fullest potential,” she said.
The event concluded with Vice President Shettima presenting clean cookstoves to beneficiaries as part of Project Fuuku while reiterating his call for collective action: “Building a healthier, better-educated Nigeria relies on each of us contributing to a legacy of progress”