The Nigerian government has unveiled plans to elevate the country’s position to rank among the top 80 nations globally in the Human Capital Index (HCI) by 2030, Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Mr. Shettima launched the Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 strategy, emphasising the government’s commitment to achieving a score of 0.6 on the index within six years.
The initiative builds upon its predecessor, HCD 1.0, which was introduced in 2018 following Nigeria’s poor performance in global human capital metrics. The new strategy encompasses three primary focus areas: equitable healthcare delivery, inclusive education, and nationwide financial inclusion.
“These metrics represent more than just numbers; they signify real change in the lives of our people,” Mr. Shettima said during the inauguration ceremony.
The programme will be overseen by a steering committee chaired by the vice president, incorporating both public and private sector leadership to ensure effective implementation.
Rukaiya El-Rufai, Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council and Climate Change, highlighted the programme’s emphasis on addressing climate change and digital transformation challenges. She stressed the importance of robust monitoring and evaluation processes to track progress.
In a separate development, Mr Shettima also inaugurated the National Flood, Erosion, Drought, and Desertification Management Council (NFEDDMC). The council, which includes governors from six states, will coordinate responses to environmental and climate-induced disasters.
Kogi State Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, who led the committee that developed the updated disaster management roadmap, will serve on the council alongside other state governors and federal agency heads.
The vice president praised the accuracy of recent weather predictions by local agencies and urged continued investment in technology and expertise to enhance disaster management capabilities.
