A Professor of Economics, Evans Osabuohien at Covenant University, Ota, has called on the Federal Government to sustain its investment in education, health and skills development, to improve the well-being and productivity of the citizens.
Osabuohien, made the call during the 2026 International Conference at Bells University of Technology, on Thursday in Ota.
The three-day Conference,which began on Oct.7 and ends on Oct.9, has the theme: “Harnessing Climate Action, Sustainable Food System, And Human Capital Development For Well-Being in Africa.
The Conference was organised by Bells University of Technology (BellsTech) in collaboration with DepeCOS Institutions And Development Research Centre (DIaDeRC)
The don, who is also Chairman, Conference Planning Committee and DIaDeRC, said that such investment in human capital has become imperative, as technology and institutional capacity remained Central to improving the well-being of the people.
“The issues are closely interconnected, as climate shocks affect food production and prices.
“Also, food insecurity affects health and productivity; and the quality of human capital and institutions influences how effectively societies respond to these challenges “ he said.
Osabuohien explained that the conference provides an important platform for scholars, policymakers and practitioners to engage across disciplines and develop practical, evidence-based responses.
Also speaking, Prof. Kayode Ogunsola, Director, Centre for Advancement, Linkages and Partnerships, Bells University of Technology, said that theme was both timely and significant,given the interconnected challenges confronting our continent.
Ogunsola listed some of the challenges to include climate change, food and nutrition insecurity, environmental degradation, unemployment, skills gaps.
He stressed the need to build resilient and healthy communities for the well-being of present and future generations.
Ogunsola noted that Africa possesses enormous human and natural resources,adding that transforming these resources into sustainable development requires innovative ideas, evidence -based policies,interdisciplinary research, effective partnerships were important investment in human capital.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Bells Tech,, Prof. Abel Olorunnisola, said that the theme of the conference was germane for a time like these, especially as climate change, sustainable food systems and. human capital development in Africa are seen as a critical issues.
Olorunnisola ,represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ngozi Arisa,noted that the sustainable food systems in Africa was not just about farming maize or any other crop.
He added that this was a multipronged issue that cover such areas as production (Climate Smart Agriculture): Nutrition (moving from calories to Diets): Environment (Soul Health, Soil Health, Water Management, Oceanography (, Value Chain(Reducing Post Harvest Loss).
The VC called on universities, research institutions and government agencies across Africa to provide solutions to their challenges through more investment in human capital for sustainable national development.
Dr Taiwo Olusa, the Register and Chief Executive, Institute of Educational Leadership Practitioners of Nigeria (IELPN), emphasised the need for Nigeria and Africa to build institutions where talents would thrive.
Olusa, also a keynote speaker, urged the federal government to create enabling environment so that institutions with innovative could impact knowledge into their students.
“Africa ‘s future would not be determined only by how many people we educate but how intelligently we develop, empower and retain that talent we produce.”she said.
Olusa noted that Africa ‘s human-capital challenge was also a leadership challenge,noting that leadership must be informed by evidence. (NAN)