Driving inclusive human capital investment in Nigeria

In a recent interview with CNBC Africa's Kenneth Igbomor, Maryam Uwais, the Special Adviser to Nigeria's President on Social Investment, emphasized the critical need for more inclusive thinking in global stakeholder conversations. With a focus on driving human capital investment across the states in Nigeria, Uwais underscored the importance of sustainability and coordination for long-term impact. According to Uwais, Nigeria faces vast disparities across various sectors, making it challenging for policymakers to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) effectively. She highlighted the need for better planning and coordination among policy makers to address issues related to primary healthcare, education, agriculture, and empowerment at the state and local government levels. One of the main challenges Uwais pointed out was the varying timelines required to observe the impact of human capital investments. She noted that outcomes such as improved nutrition and education often take several years to manifest, making it crucial for sustained efforts and monitoring to ensure progress. Furthermore, Uwais advocated for a multi-dimensional poverty index to measure poverty accurately and suggested a coordinated approach with incentivized targets for states to enhance human capital development. By fostering collaboration between the federal government, state authorities, and local communities, Nigeria can strive towards a more unified and impactful strategy to address its social and economic challenges. In terms of Nigeria's social investment programs, Uwais highlighted four key initiatives aimed at empowering both graduate and non-graduate populations. The Empower program has successfully trained over 550,000 individuals, providing skills development and stipends for participants. Additionally, partnerships with industry bodies like the Council for Registered Builders and the hospitality sector have facilitated vocational training and job placements for program beneficiaries. Moreover, Uwais acknowledged the role of technology in driving youth employment and innovation. By supporting technology hubs and promoting digital skills training, Nigeria is nurturing a new generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs with a focus on addressing local challenges, such as climate change and agricultural productivity. One of the flagship initiatives mentioned by Uwais was the school feeding program, which has benefitted approximately nine million children across 35 states. By working closely with state governments to ensure the provision of balanced meals, the program aims to enhance nutrition and educational outcomes for school-going children. As Nigeria continues its efforts towards inclusive human capital investment, Uwais emphasized the need for sustained commitment from all stakeholders, including the private sector and government bodies. By aligning with the SDGs, fostering innovation, and prioritizing long-term sustainability, Nigeria can pave the way for a more prosperous and equitable future for its citizens.