Nigeria, April 3 -- Nigeria has always been told it owes Africa and, by extension, the world talent necessary for continuous development. The yardstick is usually the nation's human capital - a population of over 200 million. Truth be told, even as a country, we have not squarely harnessed this potential.

The reasons for the untapped potential are not far-fetched. At the top of the chart remains the poor health indices of the populace. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, spoke to this effect in November 2023 during his speech at the Barewa Old Boys' Association (BOBA) Annual Lecture and Award in Abuja.

In his presentation titled, "Nigeria's Greatest Asset - Its Human Capital", he said despite having a...