Yobe HCD-DD workshop builds capacity for evidence-based planning
By Ahmed I Abba
The Yobe Human Capital Development–Demographic Dividend (HCD-DD) Secretariat, with support from Lafiya UK Project, has conducted a five-day capacity-building workshop to strengthen data-driven planning for improved service delivery in the state.
The workshop, runs from Sept. 14 to 18, brought together technical officers from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in the sectors of education, women affairs, agriculture, youth, and social development among others.
Mr Musa Muhammad, a facilitator and member of the Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development, said the training was crucial in setting realistic targets for the state’s strategic plan on HCD-DD.
He explained that Yobe was the first state in Nigeria to merge the human capital development and demographic dividend frameworks into one, adding that the workshop helped establish baseline indicators for implementation.
“We are happy with the level of understanding of participants. They actively engaged, and together we set realistic targets that will guide the state in driving human capital development and economic growth,” Muhammad said.
Dr Abdullah Jawa, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager of HCD-DD Secretariat, said the workshop improved participants’ knowledge of data generation and use, which would enhance reporting from MDAs.
“Participants are now better informed and will return to their MDAs equipped to produce quality data that will inform state and national planning. This will help address challenges associated with Yobe’s growing population,” Jawa said.
Mr Muhammad Kucici, Chairman of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Yobe, described the workshop as impactful, stressing that accurate data was essential for effective decision-making and quality service delivery.
He advised government agencies to ensure that future workshops involve representatives with institutional knowledge and decision-making authority to sustain the gains achieved.
A participant, Prof. Adam Mustapha of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, commended the organisers for integrating development goals with cultural and religious perspectives, saying this approach would strengthen community buy-in and long-term success.
Mustapha appealed to policymakers and stakeholders in Yobe, a predominantly Muslim state, to consider religious provisions in development planning.
He said aligning human capital development with the objectives of Islamic law—such as protection of faith, life, intellect, property, and family—would enhance acceptability and sustainability of government programmes.
Our Correspondent reports that the workshop was designed to improve data quality, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote evidence-based policies that will advance health, education, nutrition, and labour force participation in Yobe.
Stakeholders expressed commitment to sustaining the outcomes of the training to accelerate human capital growth and harness the demographic dividend in the state.
