Nigeria targets top 80 spot in Global Human Capital Index by 2030

…as VP Shettima launches initiative in Akwa Ibom

By Kunle Sanni

The federal government has reaffirmed its ambition to position Nigeria among the top 80 countries on the Global Human Capital Index (HCI) by 2030, with Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasizing the need for grassroots implementation and data-driven reforms to strengthen education, health, and workforce productivity.

Speaking on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the launch of the state’s Human Capital Development (HCD) Accelerator Project and the ARISE HCD Strategy, Vice President Shettima lauded Akwa Ibom for becoming the first state in Nigeria to fully implement the national HCD blueprint across all local government areas.

“Every policy or programme that intervenes in the life of our people can only succeed if it’s rooted in the grassroots,” Shettima said. “The true wealth of any nation lies in the strength of its human capital: the education of its children, the health of its citizens, and the productivity of its workforce.”

He also announced the rollout of the federal government’s second phase of the National HCD Programme, dubbed HCD 2.0, which builds on existing efforts by introducing integrated, cross-sectoral approaches. To monitor progress, a new HCD Dashboard will track real-time data on key indicators such as child mortality, education, and maternal health.

“We are deploying data not for reports, but for results,” the Vice President said. “Behind every number is a story. These are not mere statistics. They are realities.”

Citing Akwa Ibom’s notable strides in health and education, he highlighted the state’s under-five mortality rate of 80—significantly below the national average of 110—and a low out-of-school rate of 3.5% among primary-age children, compared to the national average of 25.6%.

During his visit, Shettima also unveiled Project Fuuku, a clean cookstove initiative aimed at addressing indoor pollution, improving public health, and empowering rural women. The project builds on a successful pilot implemented in Nasarawa State.