The Federal Government has reaffirmed its ambition to position Nigeria among the top 80 countries on the global Human Capital Index (HCI) by the year 2030.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima made the announcement on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the launch of the state’s National Human Capital Development (HCD) Accelerator Project and the ARISE Human Capital Development Strategy.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Vice-President also inspected several ongoing ARISE HCD initiatives, including model primary schools and the ARISE Park—an innovative environmental restoration project.
Shettima expressed confidence that this national objective could be realised through strengthened workforce capabilities and improved socio-economic outcomes.
He praised the Akwa Ibom State Government for becoming the first to implement the national HCD blueprint across all Local Government Areas.
“Every policy or programme that intervenes in the lives of our people can only succeed if it is rooted in the grassroots,” he said.
“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.”
Launch of HCD 2.0: A New Chapter
The Vice-President also announced the launch of the second phase of the Human Capital Development Programme (HCD 2.0), building upon the foundation of HCD 1.0 with a renewed focus on integration and measurable impact.
“At its core, HCD 2.0 is about integration and impact,” he explained.
“What Akwa Ibom State has demonstrated here isn’t just progress; it’s leadership.”
To ensure long-term continuity, Shettima revealed plans to institutionalise a Human Capital Development Fund.
“We are working to institutionalise the HCD Fund to ensure that, regardless of who holds office in the future, the investments we make in people today will endure,” he said.
“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.”
Emphasis on Data-Driven Implementation
Shettima underscored the importance of data-led policymaking and announced the rollout of a Human Capital Development Dashboard to monitor key indicators in real time.
“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,” he stated.
“These are not mere statistics. They are realities, and we must confront them with urgency and compassion.”
He highlighted Akwa Ibom’s impressive performance, citing its under-five mortality rate of 80—well below the national average of 110—and its low out-of-school rate of just 3.5%, compared to the national figure of 25.6%.
“You are not merely compliant with our national vision; you are ahead of the curve,” he added.
Clean Energy and Social Equity
As part of the national strategy, Shettima unveiled Project Fuuku, a clean cookstove initiative that builds on a successful pilot in Nasarawa State. The project addresses a range of issues, including public health, environmental degradation, and gender inequality.
“This intervention is more than just 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 noted.
State-Level Commitment
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom described human capital development as essential to sustainable growth and pledged the state’s continued commitment to the initiative. He revealed plans to send an Executive Bill to the State House of Assembly to domesticate the HCD programme and ensure its implementation at the local level.
“We are thrilled that our state was selected as the first for the inauguration of this programme,” the Governor said.
“This reinforces the fact that the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu does not play politics with development, and we deeply appreciate this.”
Nigeria’s Current Standing and the Road Ahead
Ms Rukaiya El-Rufai, National Coordinator for Human Capital Development and Special Adviser to the President on the National Economic Council (NEC), noted that Nigeria currently ranks 168 out of 174 countries on the HCI.
She stressed the need for strategic continuity and long-term planning, stating that human capital development enhances public health, education, and individual potential.
“It is about ensuring people are healthy, educated, and empowered to reach their full potential,” she said.