Human capital development is a strategic to reducing unemployment, the Chairman, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, Mr. Williams Ibiyinka, and Secretary, Mr. Afolaranmi Olusegun, have said.

In separate interviews during the institute's summit in Ilorin on Tuesday, Ibiyinka and Olusegun said it was sad that many graduates from the country's tertiary institutions lacked the requisite skills that would either aid their quick employment or assist them become self reliant.

Ibiyinka said the institute, as a professional body, was committed to reducing the gap by assisting in the development of human capital, adding that the body would continue to conduct professional examinations on supply chain management in compliance with the Act chartering the institute.

He said many tertiary institutions were in the habit of giving their students general knowledge only.

According to him, there is the need to equip the graduates with specialised skills so that they will become relevant in solving society's problems and thereby create wealth.

Ibiyinka urged corporate organisations and all stakeholders to partner with the government to ensure that the skills of youths were well developed, adding that the institute had been collaborating with the government to ensure the development of professionals.

He said, "It is sad that many of our graduates are unemployable because of lack of skills. There is a clear difference between acquiring university education and acquiring skills. In the university, people are developed generally. But when you talk in terms of special skill, it requires an additional effort and that is what our institute stands for.

"People who graduate from the universities come to our institute, are trained and write professional exams and they are qualified. Human capital or skill development is another strategy to reduce unemployment in Nigeria. Majority of the people do not realise the importance of professionalism; that is why today, you find quite a number of square pegs in round holes or round pegs in a square holes."

"If people are professionally developed, they will know where to tailor their skills. They will not go another man's job. They will rather face their own line of professionalism. That will improve our society better than what we have today," Ibiyinka added.

Olusegun said efforts should be intensified by all stakeholders to ensure that the youths were productively engaged and urged the government to provide necessary infrastructure to encourage Small and Medium Enterprises and entrepreneurs.

He said provision of infrastructure would reduce the cost of doing business and production costs in the country.

According to him, there should be more strategic implementation of projects and transparency in the management of resources for laudable initiatives and policies to succeed.

Olusegun said, "Human capital development is necessary to reduce unemployment. From the budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the state governments, a lot of money is budgeted for skills development and acquisition, especially to reduce unemployment and crimes."