Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the inauguration of the reconstituted National Economic Council (NEC) Human Capital Development (HCD) Steering Committee on Friday, affirming the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration among stakeholders to drive national development. The revamped committee, reflecting the new leadership of the nation, aims to address critical issues related to human capital development.
In his address titled “The Burden of Trust in Leadership Transition,” Vice President Shettima emphasized the importance of the committee’s role in advancing progress in health and nutrition, education, and labour force participation. He underscored the significance of investing in human capital as an economic imperative, highlighting the government’s aspiration to add 24 million healthy, educated, and productive Nigerians to the population by 2030.
“Every Nigerian must thrive under the new administration’s visionary agenda,” declared Vice President Shettima, aligning the objectives of the HCD programme with President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, which includes eradicating poverty and creating job opportunities.
Echoing the Vice President’s sentiments, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, applauded the inauguration of the committee, emphasizing the National Assembly’s commitment to legislative collaboration to drive human capital development initiatives forward.
Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, reaffirmed the governors’ commitment to human capital development, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to uplift the lives of citizens across various sectors.
Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted the strategic importance of investments in education, health, and social welfare, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to governance.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent government officials, including Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, as well as representatives of development organizations and foundations.
Following the inauguration, the Core Committee convened for a working session presided over by the Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change/Acting Coordinator, Core Working Group (CWG) HCD; Rukaiya El-Rufai. Vice President Shettima expressed confidence in the expertise of the committee members, emphasizing the critical role they play in shaping the future of Nigeria.
As the Core Committee entered into closed-door deliberations, Vice President Shettima reiterated the collective responsibility to find solutions that will uplift millions of Nigerians, affirming the government’s commitment to implementing far-reaching reforms to drive progress and prosperity nationwide.
The NEC HCD Steering Committee is a strategic initiative aimed at driving human capital development in Nigeria. Comprising key stakeholders from government, private sector, and civil society, the committee collaborates to formulate and implement policies and programmes that enhance health, education, and labour force participation nationwide.
The NEC HCD Steering Committee is committed to advancing human capital development in Nigeria through strategic partnerships and initiatives. By focusing on key areas such as health, education, and labour force participation, the committee aims to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the nation. For more information, visit [NEC Website].
