Shettima seeks urgent investment in North’s human capital

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for increased investment in education, healthcare, nutrition and skills development to reverse declining human capital indicators in Northern Nigeria. Speaking at the Summit on Enhancing Human Capital Development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Shettima said the region’s greatest challenge was not a lack of potential but inadequate investment in […]

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for increased investment in education, healthcare, nutrition and skills development to reverse declining human capital indicators in Northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the Summit on Enhancing Human Capital Development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Shettima said the region’s greatest challenge was not a lack of potential but inadequate investment in its people.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, the Vice President said Northern Nigeria had suffered more than any other region from weak human capital investment.

“The North is not poor in spirit, numbers or promise. It is poor in the investment that transforms population into prosperity,” he said.

Shettima described the Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 Strategy as the Tinubu administration’s roadmap for building a healthier, more educated and productive population. He said the strategy aims to raise Nigeria’s Human

Capital Index score to 0.6 and place the country among the top 80 globally by 2030.

He urged governors, policymakers and development partners to focus on measurable outcomes rather than declarations, noting that states bear primary responsibility for delivering quality education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities.

According to him, the strategy is built on health, education, skills development, labour participation and livelihoods, while also addressing nutrition, gender inclusion, digital innovation and climate resilience.

The Vice President warned that failure to invest in the region’s growing youth population could undermine future development and competitiveness.

He urged stakeholders to ensure that commitments made at the summit translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens through better schools, healthcare facilities and economic opportunities.