Shettima: We’ll Position Nigeria Among Top Global Countries on Human Capital Index
* Inaugurates national council to address flood, erosion, other climate disasters
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared the federal government’s resolve to position the nation among top 80 countries on the global Human Capital Index (HCI) by building a healthier, better-educated, and empowered Nigeria.
The task, he said, was ambitious but quite achievable, just as he called on all Nigerians, including policymakers and community leaders, to embrace the Human Capital Development Programme.
Shettima stated this yesterday, while inaugurating the HCD 2.0 Strategy during a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Human Capital Development Programme at the State House, Abuja.
According to the Vice President: “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.
“These metrics represent more than just numbers; they signify the 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.
“As we inaugurate HCD 2.0, I call on every Nigerian—policymakers, community leaders, and citizens alike—to recognise the stakes and embrace the promise of this initiative. Building a healthier, better educated, and empowered Nigeria relies on each of us contributing to a legacy of progress and possibility.”
The Vice President recalled how Nigeria had faced what he described as a stark reality in 2018 when the nation’s ranking on global human capital indices showed critical gaps in health, education and employment.
The urgency to address the embarrassing situation, according to him, compelled the Nigerian government to prioritise human capital development, leading to the launch of HCD 1.0 to build a healthy, educated, and productive Nigeria by 2030.
Describing the launch of the HCD 2.0 as the beginning of a new phase, Shettima said, “We have laid a strong foundation, and now, we officially launch the second phase of the Human Capital Development strategy—HCD 2.0.
“This initiative represents far more than a programme. It is a national commitment, a promise to the well-being, empowerment, and productivity of every Nigerian. It embodies a vision that speaks to the aspirations of each citizen and affirms our shared goal: a healthier, more educated, and more inclusive Nigeria.”
The Vice President explained that the goal of the HCD 2.0 Strategy was to make sure no Nigerian was left behind as the nation navigates towards a more inclusive, sustainable society, even as he listed the core pillars of the strategy to include equitable and modern healthcare, an inclusive, functional education system, as well as promotion of financial inclusion nationwide.
He said: “One of the core pillars of HCD 2.0 is equitable and modern healthcare. We envision a system that reaches every Nigerian, regardless of their location or economic standing. Through digital health platforms, innovative financing, and climate-resilient practices, we aim to create a healthcare system that serves all.
“Alongside healthcare, we are transforming our approach to education. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, functional education system that prioritises digital literacy, gender equity, and financial accessibility.”
In an era of digital transformation, Shettima explained that HCD 2.0 was targeted at bridging the digital divide and promoting financial inclusion across Nigeria.
“By advancing fintech solutions, online banking, and digital payment systems, we are creating pathways for every Nigerian to actively participate in the economy,” he added.
The Vice President stated however that the HCD 2.0 will not be achieved without “a broad governance framework that brings together federal and state leaders, private sector partners, civil society, and development agencies.”
He assured that with the backing of the HCD Programme Steering Committee, which he chairs, as well as leaders from both public and private sectors, the federal government will smoothly and efficiently execute the HCD 2.0 strategy.
Earlier in her presentation, Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, said the new programme aims to enhance human capital outcomes by focusing on education, health, and workforce development, building on the progress of its predecessor, HCD 1.0.
“The HCD 2.0 Program is designed to elevate Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI) and ensure our country is equipped to face both national and global challenges, including climate change and digital transformation,” El-Rufai stated.
She highlighted the importance of robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) processes to ensure transparency and effectiveness in tracking progress.
Her words: “We are committed to closing critical gaps in health, education, and labour force participation while promoting sustainability and inclusivity in all our efforts”.
The Vice President also yesterday, inaugurated the National Flood, Erosion, Drought, and Desertification Management Council (NFEDDMC).
The council’s mandate is to establish a comprehensive approach to combating the growing challenges of environmental and climate-induced disasters, focusing on collaborative efforts across government agencies and regions.
Speaking during the inauguration at the State House, Abuja, Shettima stressed the need for a unified response to natural disasters that have increasingly impacted Nigeria.
“This council will chart a new course in the management of nature-induced disasters, moving beyond siloed efforts and fostering a collaborative, resource-sharing model for optimal performance,” he stated.
The creation of the council followed recommendations from an updated roadmap on disaster management, developed by a committee led by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, under the direction of the National Economic Council (NEC).
The Vice President acknowledged the accuracy of Nigeria’s weather predictions this year, crediting local agencies for their efforts and urging all departments to “continue acquiring the latest technology and expertise to better serve our communities.”
The NFEDDMC’s responsibilities include advising the federal government on disaster management strategies, developing a national disaster management strategy with immediate, medium, and long-term measures, and enhancing public awareness of climate resilience practices.
According to Shettima, each agency involved must be prepared to act promptly, as environmental disasters often require urgent responses.
The Vice President expressed confidence in the council’s ability to confront the challenges posed by climate. “The journey ahead is challenging, but I believe in the expertise and resolve of our team. Together, we can build a more resilient Nigeria,” he noted.
Shettima is the chairman of the council, with Governors of Kogi, Bayelsa, Oyo, Ebonyi, Bauchi and Jigawa States as members.
Others members include Minister of State, Water Resources & Sanitation; Minister of State for Environment; Directors-General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Nigeria Meteorological Agency, National Water Resources Institute, and National Emergency Management Agency
Others are Managing-Directors of National Inland Waterways Authority, Niger Delta Development Commission, North East Development Commission and representatives of development partners.
Also, yesterday, Shettima implored the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) to walk the talk in the ongoing bid to ensure food security in Nigeria, saying Nigerians are only keen on results rather than rhetoric.
The Vice President observed that while there have been many presidential initiatives, the challenge had always been implementation, while stressing that the PFSCU is in a vantage position to catalyse the nation’s food security challenges into progress.
Shettima, who gave the charge at the State House, Abuja, during the second meeting of the PFSCU constituted as part of efforts by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to tackle hunger and hardship in Nigeria, urged the unit to move beyond rural farming and initiate urban agriculture the way it is done in countries like Cuba and other advanced nations.
The Vice President had in July this year inaugurated the PFSCU formed under the Presidential Economic Coordinating Council following a memo submitted to President Tinubu on the need to come up with a food systems council to address food insecurity in the country.
Speaking during the second meeting of the PFSCU with the states, development partners, and other critical stakeholders, Shettima said: “We have to walk the talk. I will be in Calabar, and we will go to northern Cross River to flag off the wet season farming. Nigerians want to see what we are doing. And Honourable Minister, I want you to robustly engage the private sector. I want the Hon. Minister of Agriculture to drive the process.
“So, let’s walk the talk. This presidential initiative is a very beautiful one, but we have had a lot of presidential initiatives from time immemorial. It’s the implementation that counts, and we are in a unique position to catalyse our challenges into progress.”
Expressing hope that the PFSCU will provide food security in Nigeria, Shettima said the Unit boasts of some of the leading lights in the nation’s private sector, whose experience, exposure and contacts must be harnessed to drive the process.
He also asked the PFSCU to go beyond crop production and embrace other areas of agriculture, including livestock and fishery.
“There is a need for diversity. Livestock and fishery are areas that I want you to look into, especially when it comes to the South-south and the South-east.
The Vice President charged the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, to come up with solutions to issues of access to loans from credit guarantee schemes, pointing out that the entire agriculture sector deserves support, including the big players.
Earlier, state governors present at the meeting called for a fundamental shift in the country’s approach to food security, emphasising the need for better coordination between federal and state governments.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State highlighted critical gaps in the current agricultural framework, just as he said, “There is a very wrong perception in Nigeria about food security – it’s not just about food quantity but also quality.
“A nation will not be secure if the quality of food is not good. What we are facing now is not just about quantum but also about quality of food products,” Zulum stated.
The governor stressed the importance of fisheries and livestock sectors, calling them “a missing link” in current agricultural policies.
“There is a need for you to have a synergy with the state governments – we have a lot of capacity at the state level,” he emphasised.
Also speaking, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, noted that the state is already taking decisive action to ensure food security.
He said: “Our target is to feed the nation. Give us two more years, it’s going to be something else in Cross River.”
On his part, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, focused on implementation challenges, calling for immediate action.
“Agriculture is time-bound, and we need to get to the field to implement these plans immediately,” he insisted while emphasising the importance of stakeholder engagement and state-level input in policy formation.
Furthermore, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, advocated practical demonstration over theoretical discussion in tackling food insecurity.
“Agriculture doesn’t need so much talking shops. All it needs is practicality. When they (youths) start seeing us, the big men, in our farms, they will be more willing to join us,” Nwifuru stated.
Also speaking at the meeting, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Edun, who agreed with partners and stakeholders on the need for support from credit guarantee schemes, stressed the need for a financing programme to assist farmers and other stakeholders.
“We should sit and fashion out a financing programme. We have the Bank of Agriculture and the Bank of Industry,” Edun noted.
On his part, Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the challenge of agricultural produce being smuggled out of the country, which negatively impacts the local supply. He assured that the government is actively working to address this issue.
In her presentation, the Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture (Office of the Vice President), Marion Moon, pointed out that the PFSCU is working towards mitigating and stabilising symptoms of the food crisis in Nigeria.
According to her: “We are doing that; we want to start addressing the underlying issue. Our long-term vision and plan are to strengthen Nigeria’s comparative advantage.”
