ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT REVIEWS DRAFT HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO DRIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu On Jul 15, 2025

.In a significant move to position Abia State as a leader in inclusive growth and sustainable development, the Abia State Government convened a high-level stakeholder and intersectoral meeting to review the draft Human Capital Development (HCD) Implementation Plan and Strategy.

The meeting, held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Office of the Deputy Governor, was chaired by His Excellency, Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu. Key participants included Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Budget Officers, and members of Technical Working Groups from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The primary goal of the session was to refine and finalise the State HCD Plan, including its budget, in preparation for an official launch and nationwide dissemination by the Executive Governor of Abia State.

Deputy Governor Emetu, who also chairs the State HCD Council, shared a vision focused on impactful programs and policies that resonate with the daily lives of Abia citizens.

He emphasized the importance of the meeting as an opportunity to craft practical and meaningful plans that will be recognized and appreciated by the community, in alignment with Governor Dr. Alex Otti’s vision for a “New Abia.”
“This meeting goes beyond mere formalities. It is vital that your contributions accurately reflect the real needs of the people of Abia State,” stated Deputy Governor Emetu.

Pst. Dr. Eno Jerry Eze Ph.D, Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission and State Focal Person for HCD, presented the draft plan, highlighting the commitment shown by all stakeholders involved.

She highlighted the crucial collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, which has played a significant role in securing necessary budget allocations. She assured attendees that the final document will incorporate the insights and strategies of key ministries, including Health, Education, Economy, Agriculture, Labour and Productivity, as well as Youth and Women Affairs.

Pst Dr. Eno Jerry Eze articulated the ambition for Abia State to rank among the top five states in Nigeria for Human Capital Development by 2030.

“This plan is not just a document; it is a roadmap for effective action,” Pst. Dr. Eno Jerry Eze asserted. “Through collaboration and strategic investment, we are building a future where every Abian citizen can thrive.”

Discussions also featured contributions from stakeholders like Mr. David Anyaele of the Disability Commission and Mrs. Magdalene Kalu Onwu, Permanent Secretary of Budget and Planning, who underscored the need for robust measurement and evaluation frameworks to monitor progress.

They advocated for the inclusion of disability considerations in the implementation baselines.

Mazi Mike Akpara, Commissioner for Medium and Small Enterprises, highlighted the importance of workforce retraining and reactivation to enhance service delivery across critical areas of Human Capital Development.

A Vision for Inclusive, Data-Driven Development
The reviewed State HCD implementation plan and strategy presents a phased approach from 2025 to 2030, focusing on leveraging data, partnerships, and local capacities to promote human-centered growth across key sectors. The plan outlines:
• 2025: Baseline studies, infrastructure enhancements, and funding mobilisation.
• 2026-2027: Scale-up of service delivery, training initiatives, and expansion of coverage.
• 2028-2030: Evaluation, policy reinforcement, and institutionalisation.
Key interventions will target education, healthcare, labour and economic empowerment, human resource management, climate action, digital inclusion, financial inclusion, and nutrition, with disability and gender as cross-cutting themes for a comprehensive approach.
Governance and Monitoring Framework
To ensure effective execution of the HCD implementation plan, a comprehensive monitoring framework has been established, including:
• Clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Quarterly performance reviews and annual public reporting.
• Stakeholder endorsement of the implementation plan at the sectoral level.

Additionally, the strategy aims to strengthen an inclusive state database that integrates relevant data across sectors, facilitating informed decision-making and improved reporting.
The approach emphasizes cross-sector collaboration and coordination to align with broader developmental objectives, enhancing overall effectiveness and sustainability.

During the review, MDAs were tasked with identifying unimplemented HCD-tagged activities across sectors to support targeted budget advocacy. The meeting also welcomed new members to the HCD Council and discussed the development of visibility materials in anticipation of the statewide launch.
The Abia State Government is poised to embark on an ambitious journey toward transformation, with a firm commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens through strategic human capital development.