- Vice President Kashim Shettima pledged to address Nigeria’s rising unemployment by enhancing labor force participation and equipping citizens with competitive skills
- Shettima emphasized the importance of quality education and healthcare, urging governments to support human capital development for national progress
Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged to address Nigeria’s rising unemployment rate. Speaking at the launch of Nasarawa State’s Human Capital Development Strategy and Gender Transformative Policy in Lafia, Shettima emphasized the urgent need to boost labour force participation.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to equipping Nigerians with skills to help them compete globally.
Shettima stressed that the current situation—high youth unemployment, low labour participation, and educational challenges—needs urgent attention.
“Our Human Capital Development Program is designed to reverse these trends,” Shettima said, referring to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate. He noted that the National Economic Council has been developing strategies to improve education, employment, and overall national development.
Shettima also expressed concern about ECOWAS countries’ poor ranking in the global Human Capital Development Index.
He urged national and local governments to ensure children receive quality education and healthcare while providing workers with the skills needed for the modern economy.
He praised Nasarawa’s governor, Abdullahi Sule, for his leadership and proactive approach, noting that the state’s development strategies align with the federal government’s goals.
He also pointed out that the administration has moved from planning to implementing strategies that address current challenges.
Governor Sule thanked supporters of the Human Capital Development program, adding that Nasarawa’s youth will be engaged in key sectors like agriculture, health, and entrepreneurship. The state’s strategic document will guide its interventions and foster economic growth.