Vice President Shettima Vows To Reverse Nigeria’s Unemployment Crisis Through Human Capital Development.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to tackle Nigeria’s high unemployment rate and improve labour force participation, describing it as a key focus of the government’s Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme.
Speaking at the launch of the Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Strategy Document and Gender Transformative Human Capital Development Policy Framework in Lafia, the state capital, Shettima outlined the administration’s vision to equip Nigerians with globally competitive skills. This strategy, he stated, is aimed at positioning the country’s workforce for success both at home and in the international job market.
The Vice President emphasised that the Human Capital Development Programme is essential in reversing the distressing trends that have long plagued Nigeria. He cited issues such as high unemployment, a growing informal sector, low labour force participation, and challenges in education and health as areas that need urgent attention.
In a statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Shettima praised Nasarawa State for its commitment to the HCD Programme. He noted, “Enough of the cycles that have held us back. Enough of the legacies of unplanned high fertility rates, alarming maternal and under-five mortality rates, and our vulnerable populations facing low life expectancy.”
The Vice President also highlighted the shortcomings in Nigeria’s education system, referencing low mean years of schooling, high pupil-to-teacher ratios, and the large number of youths not in employment, education, or training. He stressed that these issues need to be addressed in order to create a sustainable and prosperous future for the nation.
Shettima explained that the HCD Programme is designed to avert these challenges, under the mandate of President Tinubu. The programme focuses on three critical areas: workforce development, education, and health. According to Shettima, these sectors will play a vital role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy.
“The unemployment rates, the growing informal sector, and low labour force participation must be reversed,” Shettima asserted, adding that the goal is not only to develop employable skills but to ensure Nigerian workers can compete on the global stage. “Our ambition is to empower them to export the acquired skills globally, competing at the highest levels of the international marketplace.”
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, which ranks the lowest on the global Human Capital Development Index, the Vice President remained optimistic. He urged both national and sub-national entities to rise to the challenge of improving human capital, ensuring every child has access to quality education and equitable healthcare.
Shettima concluded by underscoring the importance of partnerships with the private sector, which, he said, are crucial to the success of the Human Capital Development Programme. “By facilitating access to resources, expertise, and innovation, we aim to make human capital development the cornerstone of a more prosperous and competitive Nigeria.”
With the Nasarawa State strategy now unveiled, the Tinubu administration’s broader vision for human capital development is set to take root, bringing hope for a brighter and more productive future for the country.
