Kaduna Holds High-Level Orientation Workshop To Drive Human Capital Development Agenda

By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna

In a major push to deepen collaboration and accelerate human capital development, the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, convened a one-day orientation workshop for members of its Human Capital Development and Social Investment (HCDSI) Strategic Sector Team.

The workshop, held at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna, brought together seven state commissioners, including those of Health, Education, Human Services and Social Development, Sports Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Youth Development, and Business Innovation and Technology, alongside heads of key agencies, special advisers, and other senior officials whose mandates intersect with human capital and social investment priorities.

The Event was Organized by the Kaduna State Government, sponsored by the Africa HCD pulse (Africa HCD+) and Her Excellency, the Deputy Government is the Chairman of the Human Capital Development and Social Investment Sector Strategic Team.

In her keynote address, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State and Chair of the Strategic Sector Team, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, emphasized the administration’s resolve to break down bureaucratic silos and foster cross-sectoral synergy to unlock the full potential of Kaduna’s people.

“Human capital is not a supportive factor of development, it is the very foundation. This workshop is designed to equip you with the clarity, tools, and shared vision needed to drive meaningful and high-impact change across all sectors,” Dr. Balarabe said.

The workshop also featured thematic presentations by experts from academia and industry, who provided in-depth analysis on key concepts and issues related to human capital development. These sessions enriched participants’ understanding of the critical connections between education, healthcare, social protection, innovation, and inclusive growth.

The presentations were designed to ensure that members of the Strategic Sector Team leave with a solid foundation to inform policy and programmatic decisions across their various MDAs.

Dr. Balarabe highlighted how the Governor Uba Sani administration has, since 2023, made significant strides by increasing investment in education and healthcare, expanding technical and vocational training infrastructure, and prioritizing policies aimed at uplifting vulnerable groups.

Drawing from global success stories such as South Korea and Finland, she noted that economic transformation is achievable when nations commit to consistent, long-term investment in people. She called on the team to bring the same level of intentionality and dedication to their responsibilities in Kaduna.

The workshop was made possible with the collaboration and support of the African Human Capital Development Plus Limited and Gates Foundation, both of whom were praised for their continued support to Kaduna State’s development agenda.

The Deputy Governor concluded by calling on participants to see their roles not as routine responsibilities, but as historic opportunities to shape the future of the state:

“The policies and actions we shape today will determine the future of millions of young people in Kaduna State. We must not fail them.”

The HCDSI Strategic Sector Team was inaugurated as part of the Fifth Executive Council’s sub-council structure, designed to harmonize government efforts and ensure measurable outcomes in human development and social equity.

Dr Balarabe noted that the orientation marks a pivotal step in actualizing Kaduna State’s SUSTAIN manifesto, where investment in human capital ranks as Priority to 6, signaling its centrality to the administration’s vision for inclusive and sustainable growth.