The World Bank has emphasized that human capital development is crucial for Nigeria to reach its $1 trillion economic target. Speaking at a high-level dialogue on Early Childhood, Productivity, and Nigeria’s Growth Choices in Abuja, Dr. Ritgat Tilley-Gyado, Team Lead for the World Bank’s Early Years Programme, questioned whether the current state of Nigeria’s human capital can support such ambitious growth.
Dr. Tilley-Gyado urged the government to invest heavily in health, education, and youth development, stressing that accelerated growth and high productivity are contingent on the well-being and ss of Nigeria’s children and youth. “We have allocations for basic education, primary health care, and tertiary education funds, but where are the targeted investments for Nigeria’s citizens?” she asked.
Dr. Joe Abah, Country Director of DAI, highlighted the urgency for Nigeria to adopt bold policies that could drive economic acceleration, drawing comparisons with China’s rapid poverty reduction over the last four decades. He questioned whether Nigeria is ready to make difficult choices to achieve similar results.
Mr. Ikemesit Effiong of SBM Intelligence noted that early childhood development remains one of the biggest gaps in Nigeria’s growth strategy, with stunting and malnutrition significantly impacting long-term productivity. “Losses in the first 1,000 days of life are often impossible to fully reverse later, even with substantial schooling or ss investments,” he said.
Experts concluded that early childhood development is not merely a social issue but a core economic concern, and urgent, targeted interventions are essential to build a strong foundation for Nigeria’s future prosperity.
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