Human Capital Development And Education: A Strategy For Sustainable Income Among University Undergraduates In Edo And Lagos States, Nigeria

Abstract

The decline of human capital and educationattainment in Nigeria, such as skill, values, qualifications and productivity capacity reflects in the rise in unemployment, poverty, robbery, kidnapping, ritual practices for quick money amongst others. These related social ills constitute a hydraheaded monster that plagues Nigerians today. This scenario is a serious source of concern and worry. The study assessed human capital development and education as a strategy for sustainable income among university undergraduates in Edo and Lagos states, Nigeria. The study determined the different types of human capital education that incorporates lifelong skills in the universities of Benin and Lagos, Nigeria, and the strategies for sustainable income among university undergraduates in Nigeria. The study was carried out in Universities of Benin and Lagos, Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions and two hypotheses. Related literatures were reviewed. A sample of two hundred (241) respondents from Edo and Lagos state, were selected randomly. The data was analysed using mean, standard deviation and the independent test to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that there is no significant difference between Human capital traits posed by university of Benin and Lagos undergraduates that are taught lifelong skills courses and those that not taught. Also, teaching aligned with the needs in work place during industrial attachment. Base on the findings, among others, is that the Nigerian government should raise education fund for universities to equip their workshops for effective teaching. The study concluded that university education should include human capital development courses to enhance lifelong skills and productivity capacity in the work place.