Institute Stresses Capacity Building In Nigeria’s Economic Growth

Director of the Institute of Corporate Administration (ICAD), Dr Godswill Onyekwere, has called for increased investment in capacity building, strategic competencies and value creation to boost Nigeria’s economic productivity.

Onyekwere made the call at the 2026 Administrative Professionals Conference of in Abuja, yesterday, where the participants examined strategies for improving institutional performance and sustaining professional relevance amid prevailing economic challenges.

The conference, themed “Developing Strategic Competencies for Excelling in a Depressed Economy,” brought together administrative professionals, other stakeholders to discuss ways of enhancing productivity and strengthening organisational effectiveness.

Onyekwere emphasised the importance of human capital development to national economic transformation, noting that the quality of a country’s workforce was a major determinant of its productivity and long-term development.

He observed that Nigeria’s abundant natural resources had yet to translate into corresponding improvements in the living standards of many citizens.

According to him, the country must prioritise the development of relevant skills and competencies to ensure that its resources deliver tangible economic benefits.

He also expressed concern over the challenge of out-of-school children, citing Niger State as an area of particular concern.

Onyekwere warned that inadequate access to education could undermine workforce development and constrain future productivity, making it imperative for relevant authorities to expand educational opportunities and equip citizens with market-relevant skills.

He urged professionals to embrace continuous learning and personal development, saying the acquisition of relevant competencies would enable them to respond effectively to emerging workplace demands and contribute meaningfully to organisational growth.

Similarly, Dr Julius Anjorin highlighted the importance of strategic competencies and value creation in repositioning the Nigerian economy.

They urged administrative professionals to move beyond routine duties and take on more strategic responsibilities in organisational planning, decision-making, accountability and operational efficiency.

The event ended with a call for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, educational institutions and professional bodies to advance skills development and institutional capacity.