Human Capital and Higher Education as a Catalyst for the Development of Knowledge Economy in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to look at implications of higher education and human capital vis-a-vies Nigeria developing its economy into knowledge based. The study employs cross-sectional research design as secondary data collected on documents on investments in education infrastructure in Nigeria and knowledge economy index of the World Bank. The sample of the study is 11 Northern Nigerian states with low Human Capital Index of 0.483 and below, which were purposively selected. The descriptive and inferential statistics was employed as methods of data analysis. The finding of the study reveals that Northern Nigeria is lacking behind in all the indices of human capital development and hence its backwardness. The study concludes that though the reforms being undertaken in the educational sector is commendable, more efforts need to be done to make Nigeria and indeed the Northern part of the country, a truly knowledge-based economy in order to compete with the southern part of the country in all spheres of human endeavour, especially in this era of digital economy. Furthermore, the paper implores reducing the high illiteracy rate in the region by timely funding of our educational system and enrollment, as well as inculcation of relevant skills acquisition through entrepreneurship education to our teeming populace with a view to reducing poverty and improving human capital of the region via a quality higher education.