Nigeria is setting up an inter-ministerial platform dedicated to human capital.

The Nigerian government is strengthening its interministerial approach to human capital development. The goal is to better align health, education, governance, and economic development policies to improve services offered to a young and rapidly growing population.

This coordination is especially based on the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) program. The interministerial committee overseeing it is chaired by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and includes the ministries of Finance, Health and Social Welfare, Education, and Women’s Affairs.

Its mission includes monitoring the implementation of various programs, controlling outcome indicators, reviewing disbursements, identifying implementation challenges, and ensuring coordination between federal administrations, states, and local governments.

Health and Education at the Heart of the System

The government gave a new dimension to this strategy in July 2026 with the launch of a set of social and development programs representing approximately 3.05 billion dollars. Of this amount, the HOPE program accounts for 1.5 billion dollars and covers three components: HOPE-Gov for governance, HOPE-PHC for primary health care, and HOPE-Education for education.

The stated aim is to translate the country’s economic performance into improved living conditions, particularly through access to health care, basic education, and strengthening the capacities of public administrations.

In the health sector, the government is particularly focusing on primary health care, maternal and child health, vaccination, and family planning. The Federal Ministry of Health indicates that the ongoing reforms have already led to an increase in the utilization of essential services, particularly modern family planning methods.

Family planning falls under the Family Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. It is specifically responsible for reproductive health policies, the supply of contraceptive products, and the technical support provided to states for the implementation of programs.

This approach aims to align health policies with economic and social challenges. The government sees human capital development as a central element of its growth strategy, especially in a country where population growth increases the demand for public services, skills, and jobs.

Interministerial coordination is thus intended to prevent health, education, and development policies from being pursued separately. The secretariat of the HOPE program is managed by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which works with sector ministries as well as their counterparts at the state and local levels.