The Challenge of Human Resource Development in Nigeria’s Sustainable Transformation Agenda

Abstract

In the recent times, the Nigerian Government has shown serious concern in the pursuit of sustainable transformation that will ensure full and effective utilization of its abundant resources which will translate into better living standards for the masses. Sustainable transformation is a mandate for a radical, structural and fundamental rearrangement and re-ordering of the building blocks of the nation. This paper, anchored on the human capital theory, argues that Human Resource Development (HRD) constitutes a vital ingredient in the development of any society. At the macro level of the society HRD rests on the pillars of education, the family and national leadership to inculcate the right skill, knowledge, value and attitude in the citizenry. It is further argued that the issues of inadequate skill and knowledge, poor value and attitude are indications of the failure of the educational, family and leadership systems, and are HRD challenges capable of hindering the achievement of the goals of the transformation agenda. The paper concludes that to ensure the success of the transformation agenda, there is need to address the deficiencies in the HRD of the masses through radical transformation of the educational system; reorientation of leaders and masses towards positive values and attitudes; and re-awakening of the family institution to its traditional responsibility, all of which will translate into a culture of ‘doing the right things’ and ‘doing the things right’.