FG includes Dangote, Elumelu in team to boost human capital development

The Federal Government has included Nigerian billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote and the chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu in its Human Capital Development (HCD) team.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Monday included both Dangote and Elumelu while approving the constitution of a multi-sectoral committee in a bid to drive the goals of the FG’s HCD programme.

Shettima’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha in a statement stated that the multi-sectoral team is made up of the federal and state governments as well as donors and partners.

Nkwocha said that the members of the team are expected to convene every two weeks to review the progress of work in addressing the objectives of the HCD programme.

“This was the outcome of the VP’s meeting with World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri; the Chairman of the Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr Tony Elumelu, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, among others at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,” Nkwocha added.

At the meeting, VP Shettima stressed the need for the government and partners to invest in human capital development in Nigeria.

He said this will help to create a workforce that is not just globally competitive but also adaptable to the modern demands of the 21st century.

“This gathering marks our collective recommitment to redirecting the promise and potential of our human capital towards safeguarding the economy.

“It’s an honour to host you and I eagerly anticipate celebrating the success of the initiatives uniting us.

“Our presence today signifies a tacit understanding that our future is intricately linked to the development of our human capital.

“We have witnessed the growing shift towards knowledge and service-based economies and the advantages they offer, particularly to our youths,” VP Shettima stressed.

Acknowledging the significant impact, the two Nigerian wealthy businessmen, Dangote and Elumelu, have had on the population, the Vice President noted that every society rises and falls depending on the quality of its leadership.

In March 2018, the National Economic Council (NEC) had at its Special Session launched a dedicated Human Capital Development programme, in response to Nigeria’s dismal performance in all global indexes of human capital development.

The HCD programme represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to address its human capital development challenges and position itself for sustainable growth and prosperity.

The programme’s comprehensive framework and multi-stakeholder approach provide a solid foundation for achieving its ambitious goals.

It aims to address the challenges faced by Nigeria in areas such as education, health and labour force participation.