HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT IN NIGERIA: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

 This study undertakes an in-depth analysis of the relationship between human capital development and educational advancement in Nigeria, exploring the extent to which investments in education contribute to human capital accumulation and, consequently, to the broader socio-economic development of the nation. Employing a comprehensive range of empirical methods—including econometric modelling and advanced statistical analysis of both cross-sectional and time-series data—the study seeks to illuminate the ways in which educational policies, practices, and outcomes shape workforce productivity, drive economic growth, and contribute to long-term national development. The results of the analysis indicate that education plays an undeniably critical role in the development of human capital, influencing various dimensions of labour market outcomes, economic performance, and social mobility. Moreover, the findings underscore the need for targeted and strategic reforms in Nigeria's education system to optimize the impact of educational investments. In particular, the study advocates for an increase in government expenditure on education, the enhancement of educational infrastructure, and a stronger emphasis on skills development, all of which are necessary to foster sustainable and inclusive human capital growth in the country. The paper concludes with policy recommendations aimed at addressing the key structural deficiencies within Nigeria's educational sector, providing a roadmap for creating a more effective and equitable system that can better contribute to the nation's human capital development.