Media Centre
News, Stories & Multimedia
Blogs, press releases, and video content from the HCD 2.0 programme — covering implementation milestones, community impact, and policy developments across Nigeria.
Blogs
Insights & Analysis
Long-form content from the HCD 2.0 team, state coordinators, and development partners — covering policy, data, and stories from across Nigeria.

At World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings, VP Shettima Pushes for Nigeria’s HCD 2.0 Agenda
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for stronger international collaboration to advance Nigeria’s Human Capital Development 2.0 (HCD 2.0) strategy. He reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to positioning human potential at the heart of national development, according to Stanley Kingsley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant

Nigeria’s Human Capital Drive: Why It Matters Now More Than Ever — Rukaiya el-Rufai
Considering the revelations of the sobering 2018 Human Capital Index, Nigeria is committed to charting a new course with the launch and evolution of its National Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme. Now rebranded and revitalised as HCD 2.0, this transformative agenda represents more than just policy continuity. It signals a

Project Fuuku Revolutionises Cooking Practices, Drives HCD in Nigeria
Nigeria’s human capital development is at a critical juncture. With 180 million Nigerians lacking access to clean cooking fuels, and over 98,000 women dying annually from the harmful effects of cooking with firewood, the need for change is undeniable. This is where the HCD Programme Accelerator Project, Fuuku, among others,

Nigeria’s Human Capital Drive: Why It Matters Now More Than Ever — Rukaiya el-Rufai
Considering the revelations of the sobering 2018 Human Capital Index, Nigeria is committed to charting a new course with the launch and evolution of its National Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme. Now rebranded and revitalised as HCD 2.0, this transformative agenda represents more than just policy continuity. It signals a

Project Fuuku Revolutionises Cooking Practices, Drives HCD in Nigeria
Nigeria’s human capital development is at a critical juncture. With 180 million Nigerians lacking access to clean cooking fuels, and over 98,000 women dying annually from the harmful effects of cooking with firewood, the need for change is undeniable. This is where the HCD Programme Accelerator Project, Fuuku, among others,

Nigeria Rethinks Growth Strategy With Localised Human Capital Blueprint in Akwa Ibom
A decisive step toward reshaping Nigeria’s developmental trajectory comes with the launch of the Akwa Ibom State ARISE Human Capital Development (HCD) Strategy, marking a critical moment in the country’s long-term economic planning. Vice President Kashim Shettima has chosen to take HCD initiatives beyond political leanings and affiliation, reflecting his

Nigeria’s Human Capital Drive: Why It Matters Now More Than Ever — Rukaiya el-Rufai
Considering the revelations of the sobering 2018 Human Capital Index, Nigeria is committed to charting a new course with the launch and evolution of its National Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme. Now rebranded and revitalised as HCD 2.0, this transformative agenda represents more than just policy continuity. It signals a

Field Visit to Imo Digital City Ltd
Imo Digital City Ltd hosted the Honourable Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, alongside the National HCD 2.0 Coordinator, Rukaiya el-Rufai, and members of the delegation on a guided tour of its innovation ecosystem. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the facility as a growing hub

HCD National Coordinator Joins Imo State Government for OKOBI Grant Presentation and Students’ Club Launch
The National Coordinator of Nigeria’s Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 Programme, Rukaiya el-Rufai, joined the Imo State Government for the presentation of grants to beneficiaries of the One Kindred, One Business Initiative (OKOBI) and the launch of the OKOBI Students’ Club. Speaking at the event, the Chief Economic Adviser to

Field Visit to Imo Digital City Ltd
Imo Digital City Ltd hosted the Honourable Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, alongside the National HCD 2.0 Coordinator, Rukaiya el-Rufai, and members of the delegation on a guided tour of its innovation ecosystem. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the facility as a growing hub

Advocacy Visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma
The Coordinator of the National Human Capital Development Programme 2.0 (HCD 2.0), Rukaiya el-Rufai, alongside members of her delegation, paid an advocacy visit to the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen federal and state collaboration on human capital development priorities. The

Project Fuuku Revolutionises Cooking Practices, Drives HCD in Nigeria
Nigeria’s human capital development is at a critical juncture. With 180 million Nigerians lacking access to clean cooking fuels, and over 98,000 women dying annually from the harmful effects of cooking with firewood, the need for change is undeniable. This is where the HCD Programme Accelerator Project, Fuuku, among others,

Nigeria Rethinks Growth Strategy With Localised Human Capital Blueprint in Akwa Ibom
A decisive step toward reshaping Nigeria’s developmental trajectory comes with the launch of the Akwa Ibom State ARISE Human Capital Development (HCD) Strategy, marking a critical moment in the country’s long-term economic planning. Vice President Kashim Shettima has chosen to take HCD initiatives beyond political leanings and affiliation, reflecting his

Project Fuuku Revolutionises Cooking Practices, Drives HCD in Nigeria
Nigeria’s human capital development is at a critical juncture. With 180 million Nigerians lacking access to clean cooking fuels, and over 98,000 women dying annually from the harmful effects of cooking with firewood, the need for change is undeniable. This is where the HCD Programme Accelerator Project, Fuuku, among others,

At World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings, VP Shettima Pushes for Nigeria’s HCD 2.0 Agenda
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for stronger international collaboration to advance Nigeria’s Human Capital Development 2.0 (HCD 2.0) strategy. He reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to positioning human potential at the heart of national development, according to Stanley Kingsley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant

Madam Koroma Rallies Global Support to Position Nigeria as Regional Leader in Human Capital Policy
In a spirited, cross-continental virtual dialogue on advancing Human Capital Development (HCD) in Nigeria and West Africa, Madam Finda Koroma, former Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission and now Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Africa HCD+, laid out a sweeping vision for building policy capacity across the region. Her rallying

Editorial: Why FG Must Double Down on Scaling HCD Across All States
Nigeria’s long-term prosperity will not be written in oil wells or natural resources; it will be written in classrooms, health clinics, and the productivity of its young, rapidly growing population. With more than 60 per cent of citizens under the age of 25, the country’s true wealth lies in its
Press Releases
Official Statements & Announcements
Formal press releases from the HCD 2.0 National Secretariat. Media organisations requiring additional information or quotes should contact the Communications team.
18
Apr 2026
HCD 2.0 Secretariat Holds National Review Summit in Abuja
02
Mar 2026
Nigeria Launches Digital Skills Drive Targeting 500,000 Youth Under HCD 2.0
The Skills for Youth Employment programme expands its reach under the HCD 2.0 framework with new state partnerships in Ogun, Lagos, Kaduna, and Anambra. Registration portals are now open in 12 states.
14
Feb 2026
HCD Councils Inaugurated in 12 Additional States — Now Operational in All 37 Units
The inauguration of state HCD Councils across the remaining 12 states marks full national coverage of the governance structure. All 37 Focal Persons are now active and linked to the National Secretariat coordination system.
20
Jan 2026
World Bank Commends Nigeria's HCD Progress at Davos 2026
Nigeria’s HCD 2.0 programme is recognised at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting as a model for coordinated human capital investment in Sub-Saharan Africa. The National Coordinator presented Nigeria’s HCI improvement trajectory to an international audience of development finance institutions.
08
Dec 2025
Project Fuuku Reaches One Million Household Milestone Ahead of Schedule
Nigeria’s clean cooking initiative, Project Fuuku, achieves its first major milestone by distributing improved cookstoves to one million households across eight priority states — six months ahead of the original 2026 target.
15
Sep 2025
HCD 2.0 Officially Launched — Federal Government Commits to 2030 HCI Target of 0.6
The Vice President officially launches the National Human Capital Development Project 2.0 in Abuja, outlining the four flagship programmes, governance structure, and the national target of improving Nigeria’s Human Capital Index to 0.6 by 2030.
Video Library
Multimedia Content
Documentaries, event recordings, community stories, and explainer videos from the HCD 2.0 programme.
HCD Videos
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