Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for urgent action to reverse Nigeria’s low labor force participation and high unemployment rates. Speaking at the launch of the Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Strategy Document and Gender Transformative Human Capital Development Policy Framework in Lafia on Saturday, Shettima highlighted the administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerians with globally competitive skills.

He stressed the need to address the country’s educational and employment challenges, emphasizing that the Human Capital Development Programme, championed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, aims to tackle issues such as the high number of unemployed youth and the growing informal sector. Shettima also lamented that the ECOWAS region ranks lowest on the global Human Capital Development Index.

The Vice President praised Governor Abdullahi Sule for his leadership in launching the strategy document, signaling a positive step towards sustainable progress. Governor Sule reiterated that the state’s Human Capital Development strategy will focus on sectors like agriculture, health, and entrepreneurship, ensuring youth engagement and economic growth.