The State and Human Capital Development in Nigeria

The significance of Human capital development in a labour surplus country like Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. However, the Nigerian educational industry is driving in reverse gear leaving the dreams of many, if there is any, hanging elusively. The hope that Nigerian youths would be employable tomorrow is increasingly in doubt due to the neglect the educational sector has suffered under successive governments. This paper contends that apart from government ad-hocism in the sector, there are other ills like corruption, poor quality teachers, lack of infrastructure and endless industrial disputes that have continued to deliver mortal blows to the sector. The paper, based on Internet and library research, suggests that government must as a matter of urgency and priority invest in human capital development or risk a population without competence in the midst of a knowledge society.