In a strategic move to enhance human capital development in Kogi State, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has inaugurated a seven-member Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked with driving policies that will improve education, healthcare, and workforce participation in governance.
The inauguration took place during the maiden meeting of the Kogi State Human Capital Development Council at the Office of the Deputy Governor in Lokoja, signaling a renewed commitment to fostering socio-economic growth through investment in people.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Elder Joel Oyibo Salifu, representing Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, emphasized that the TWG would provide expert guidance on policies targeting three critical areas: Health and Nutrition, Education, and Labour Participation.
He highlighted that the initiative aligns with the National Economic Council’s Human Capital Development Programme, launched in 2018, which aims to accelerate economic progress and ensure sustainable development across Nigeria.
Governor Ododo underscored the importance of the initiative, stating that human capital development is at the heart of his administration’s vision for the state. “The Human Capital Development Programme is about investing in our people to drive economic growth. With this Technical Working Group, we are taking decisive steps to strengthen this vision in Kogi,” he said stressing that the group would play a vital role in shaping policies that translate into real benefits for citizens.
The TWG, led by Hon. Abdulahi Sani Ozomata as the focal person, consists of key stakeholders, including Directors of Planning, Research, and Statistics from key ministries, Commissioners for Health, Education, Women Affairs, Youth and Sports, Donor Agencies, Senior Civil Servants, and Labour Unions.
Their core responsibility is to analyze human capital indicators in the state, identify challenges in critical sectors, and recommend effective policy solutions.
The group will also assess ongoing government interventions and propose improvements to boost social inclusion, workforce participation, and nutrition. By conducting landscape analyses and evaluating existing policies, the TWG is expected to create a roadmap for sustainable human capital development in Kogi State.
Governor Ododo further emphasized his administration’s determination to make Kogi a model state for human capital growth. “Our ambition is not just to meet national benchmarks but to set the pace. We want to be at the forefront of human capital development in Nigeria,” he declared urging the TWG members to stay committed to their mandate, emphasizing that their work is a shared responsibility toward building a healthier, better-educated, and more productive Kogi State.
