Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has pledged to tackle Nigeria’s growing unemployment rate, emphasizing the need to reverse the trend of a burgeoning informal sector and low labour force participation. Speaking at the launch of the Nasarawa State Human Capital Development (HCD) Strategy Document and Gender Transformative Human Capital Development Policy Framework on Saturday, Shettima highlighted the administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerians with globally competitive skills.
The Vice President stressed that the HCD Programme, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, aims to avert the negative societal impacts of high unemployment. He noted that the programme focuses on workforce development, education, and health, which are critical to reversing the nation’s human capital challenges.
“Nasarawa State’s commitment to the HCD Programme is built on the collective realization that enough is enough. We must address the cycles that have held us back, including high fertility rates, maternal and under-five mortality rates, and low life expectancy,” Shettima stated. He added that the distressing data on education, unemployment, and the informal sector must be addressed to create a more favourable society.
Shettima emphasized the importance of equipping Nigerian workers with skills that enable them to excel both domestically and internationally. He called for partnerships with the private sector to facilitate access to resources, expertise, and innovation, making human capital development the cornerstone of a more prosperous Nigeria.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who hosted the event, thanked stakeholders for their support and highlighted the state’s efforts to improve its economy through the Nasarawa State Investment and Development Agency. He assured that the state’s strategic document on Human Capital Development would be strictly implemented to guide interventions in various sectors.
Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, noted that the National Human Capital Development programme, unveiled in 2018, aims to address poverty, foster socio-economic growth, and improve human capital across the country. She commended Vice President Shettima for leading the National Economic Council (NEC) and the National Human Capital Development programme.
Senator Ahmed Wadada of Nasarawa West constituency praised the state’s leadership in laying the foundation for Human Capital Development in Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of equipping citizens with education and skills to succeed in their endeavours.
Director-General of Nasarawa Human Capital Development Agency, Hajiya Habiba Suleiman, presented the HCD strategy document, outlining the direction for human capital development in the state. She reiterated that human capital is the most valued asset any government can provide for its people.
Earlier, Vice President Shettima paid homage to the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of Nasarawa State Traditional Council, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (rtd), and commissioned a palace museum named after the Shehu of Borno.
