From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Thursday kickstarted the process of strengthening and improving Nigeria’s human capital, with special focus on healthcare, education and the labour force.
This is even as the administration reiterated its commitment to improving the nation’s human capital development by 2030.
Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to the Vice President on NEC/Climate Change, Hassan Hadejia, gave the assurance during the flag-off of a one-day ‘Strategy Validation Stakeholders Engagement Workshop of Nigeria’s Human Capital Development Programme’ in Abuja.
The Human Capital Development Programme, known as HCD 2.0, aims to build upon the successes and lessons learned from HCD 1.0, which was implemented by the previous administration for 8 years.
He stressed that improving access to quality education, enhancing healthcare services, providing skills training, and creating employment opportunities cannot be achieved in isolation.
Hadejia stated that to address the mass exodus of productive Nigerians out of the country, the government has introduced the Global Outsourcing Programme (GPO), which allows young Nigerians to work from Nigeria while servicing companies in other countries and earning US dollars.
“It’s a global economy, it’s intertwine, it’s almost borderless, don’t be surprised that there are people out there also working for companies in Nigeria.”
He underscored the significance of participation at the workshop with the theme, “From Strategy To Action: Empowering States For Human Capital Development”.
He commended the stakeholders for “seeing the world as we all should: a place that needs intervention”.
According to him, achieving the objectives of the Human Capital Development Programme, comprising improving access to quality education, enhancing healthcare services, or providing skills training and employment opportunities, cannot be done in isolation.
He noted that the strategic input of all relevant stakeholders will help to shape policies that are inclusive, equitable, sustainable and drive systemic change.
“By sharing insights, best practices, and innovative ideas, we can identify the most effective pathways to achieving our goals. It is through our combined efforts that we can create a comprehensive and sustainable framework for human capital development that will benefit generations to come.
“If we must make a difference, we must always acknowledge that our success depends on our ability to collaborate, innovate, and commit to a shared objective as a team. We are not just doing this because the eyes of the nation are upon us, but also because our reputation is at stake,” he noted.
Hadejia pointed out that the workshop is “not just a platform for validation but a space for collaboration, learning, and growth.
“Whatever the direction of our questions and deliberations, we must agree that they determine the quality and effectiveness of the Human Capital Development Programme in building resilient healthcare systems, ensuring equitable access to education, and fostering an inclusive, future-ready workforce.
“Our goal is that by the end of this workshop, you develop a rounded perspective of where we are headed and expand your network to ease the discharge of your role in ensuring that HCD’s key thematic areas are prioritized in your state.”
Acting Coordinator of Health Capital Development in Nigeria, Rukaiya el-Rufai, explained that the vision of HCD 2.0 includes adding 24 million healthy (under 5 years old children surviving and stunted), educated (completing secondary school), and productive (youth entering onto the labor force) individuals by 2030.
To address the “Japa syndrome” (the mass exodus of Nigerians), the present administration has identified new focal points while maintaining the objectives of HCD 1.0. Hajia el-Rufai stated, “On the people running out of the country, we are hoping that it will give rise to ‘YAPA’. JAPA is the leaving but YAPA is coming back. So, we are trying to pull people back by encouraging people to stay.”
She explained that the workshop is the beginning of a journey aimed at reviewing and developing the country’s strategy for Human Capital Development and aligning it to global best practices.
She noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is prioritizing HCD because it is the foundation upon which sustainable development for any society is built.
She further assured that the meeting will ensure that current efforts by stakeholders align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda which is anchored on several pillars, including reforming education, improving healthcare and ensuring gender equality and empowerment, among other variables.
“Our goal is ambitious but achievable. Our strategy must take into cognisance our local nuances, mainstream gender, incorporate climate change and address most of the critical issues,” she emphasised.
She also reminded participants at the workshop that the country’s ranking in the global HCD index underscores the urgent need for action.
In separate good will messages, the representatives of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Gates Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, were unanimous in their commitment to building a resilient and empowered human capital base for the country.
The representative of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), stated that the programme cannot be implemented without the State Governments. The forum insisted that the entirety of achieving HCD in Nigeria is such that the Governors must buy-in and commit to the programme, prioritise Health, Education, and Labour, empower their commissioners to implement.
