FG Targets Top 80 Spot on Global Human Capital Index by 2030

FG Targets Top 80 Spot on Global Human Capital Index by 2030 — VP Shettima

UYO, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria has set an ambitious goal to rank among the top 80 countries on the Global Human Capital Index (HCI) by the year 2030, according to Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Speaking during the launch of the National Human Capital Development (HCD) Accelerator Project and the ARISE HCD Strategy in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Shettima reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in its people through enhanced workforce capability, education, and health outcomes.

Nigeria’s HCD 2.0 Strategy: Driving Integration, Innovation, and Impact

Vice-President Shettima unveiled HCD 2.0, the next phase of the Human Capital Development Programme, building on the foundation of HCD 1.0. The new phase is designed with a stronger focus on integration, measurable outcomes, and a commitment to data-driven decision-making.

“At its core, HCD 2.0 is about integration and impact. If we must meet our target of reaching an HCI score of 0.6 and becoming a top-80 nation globally by 2030, we must act with boldness,” Shettima said.

Key Initiatives and Highlights from the Uyo Launch

Human Capital Development Fund (HCD Fund): Shettima announced plans to institutionalize a fund that will ensure sustainable investment in education, health, and workforce development, regardless of changes in leadership.
Introduction of HCD Dashboard: A real-time tool to track key indicators, monitor performance, and guide policymaking at all levels.
Launch of Project Fuuku: A clean cookstove initiative, which was first piloted in Nasarawa State, now being scaled nationally to improve public health, environmental sustainability, and support rural women.

Akwa Ibom Praised for National Leadership in Human Capital Development

The Vice-President commended Akwa Ibom State for being the first in the country to implement the national HCD blueprint across all Local Government Areas, setting a precedent for other states to follow.

“With an under-five mortality rate of 80 (compared to the national average of 110) and only 3.5% of primary-age children out of school (against the national average of 25.6%), Akwa Ibom is ahead of the curve,” Shettima noted.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State expressed gratitude for being selected as the pilot state and promised to domesticate the HCD programme through an Executive Bill to the State Assembly.

“This reinforces the fact that the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu does not play politics with development,” the governor said.

Nigeria’s Current HCI Rank: Room for Improvement

Ms. Rukaiya El-Rufai, National HCD Coordinator and Special Adviser to the President on the National Economic Council (NEC), disclosed that Nigeria currently ranks 168 out of 174 countries on the Human Capital Index.

She emphasized that HCD is not just about numbers—it is about improving lives, ensuring every Nigerian has access to quality education, effective healthcare, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“Behind every number is a story: a child not vaccinated, a mother lost to childbirth, a youth with promise but no pathway. These are not just statistics—they are real lives,” she said.

What to Watch Going Forward

Implementation of the HCD Fund and monitoring frameworks at the national and state levels
Passage of the Executive Bill in Akwa Ibom and potential replication in other states
National rollout of Project Fuuku and similar gender-sensitive, climate-conscious initiatives
Improvement in Nigeria’s global HCI ranking, with data transparency at the center of policy delivery

Conclusion

The Federal Government’s renewed focus on Human Capital Development through HCD 2.0 reflects a strategic pivot toward people-centered governance. With ambitious targets, structured investments, and a commitment to transparency, Nigeria is positioning itself to transform its education and healthcare sectors by 2030.

Whether these promises will translate into measurable change depends on consistent political will, innovative financing, and data-driven execution—but the roadmap is now clearer than ever.