Human resource, driving force for innovation, productivity — Elugbaju tells HR professionals 

Human resources are not merely a support function in economic development but the driving force behind innovation, productivity, and sustainable national growth.

This was the central message delivered by Human Resource Analyst, Mr. Wande Elugbaju, during his keynote address at the 2022 Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Osun State Chapter, held in Osogbo.

Speaking on the theme ‘Human Resource as the Life of the Economy: The Need to Take a Place on the Strategy Table’, Elugbaju urged human resource professionals to reposition themselves as strategic partners in policy-making, business growth, and national development.

He emphasised that in today’s knowledge-driven economy, HR must not be confined to administrative roles but must be embedded in the strategic architecture of both private and public institutions.

“No nation develops beyond the strength of its human capital. Machines, money, and infrastructure can only deliver results when guided by skilled and motivated people. Human resource is the bloodstream of any economy, and it must sit at the table where strategic decisions are made,” he said.

The event attracted participants from across sectors, including HR managers, educators, government officials, students, and corporate leaders. It provided a platform to rethink HR’s role in addressing Nigeria’s economic, employment, and institutional challenges.

In a structured and engaging address, Elugbaju outlined three fundamental roles of human resources in any modern economy.

He argued that labor productivity—measured not by effort alone but by skill and system support—depends on how well people are managed and developed.

“It is human resource that determines how effectively capital and infrastructure are utilized. When people are poorly trained or poorly managed, no level of funding can deliver meaningful returns,” he said.

Elugbaju cited countries like Singapore and Rwanda that have prioritized education and talent development to transform their economies.

“Innovation is not an abstract idea—it is people solving problems. Every advancement we see in technology, medicine, or policy has a human mind behind it. Nations that invest in human capital are the ones that thrive,” he said.

He warned that even the most carefully crafted strategies fail without capable personnel to implement them.

“Policies and plans are only as good as the people who execute them. Without HR on the strategy table, implementation will always lag behind ambition,” he said.

While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s workforce, Elugbaju also addressed long-standing issues hampering progress in the sector.

These include talent migration, unemployment, outdated curricula, and a disconnect between academic institutions and industry needs. He criticized the underrepresentation of HR leadership in strategic decision-making forums.

“We cannot afford to continue treating HR as an afterthought. Strategic planning without HR input is like building a house without engineers,” he said.

He warned that if Nigeria does not take urgent steps to equip and retain its workforce, the so-called population advantage may become a burden rather than an asset.

Elugbaju laid out a series of proposals aimed at transforming HR into a strategic powerhouse within the Nigerian economy.

Organizations and governments, he said, must make use of labor market analytics and future skills forecasting to shape recruitment, training, and development strategies.

He called for stronger partnerships between academic institutions and industries, to ensure the relevance of educational output.

“Students graduate with certificates, not skills. That must change. We need an education system that is aligned with economic realities,” he said.

Elugbaju emphasized the importance of integrating data tools such as HR analytics, digital learning platforms, and AI-powered talent management systems.

“When HR is equipped with the right technology, it moves from being reactive to proactive—and that is the future of work,” he said.

He also called for the inclusion of HR experts in policy-making bodies and national development committees.

“Whether in education, health, security, or infrastructure, human resources must guide strategy because people drive outcomes,” he said.

In a powerful closing statement, Elugbaju charged HR professionals to rise to their true calling as architects of institutional and national transformation.

He said, “You are not just employee handlers or policy enforcers. You are nation-builders. Take your place at the strategy table—not just in your organizations, but in society at large.”

The keynote sparked robust engagement from attendees during a panel session that followed.

Discussions centered around workforce diversity, the employability of Nigerian youth, HR’s role in public sector reform, and global trends affecting the future of work.

The message struck a chord with many in the audience.
Mrs. Foluke Adebayo, an HR manager in the agro-allied sector, described the speech as “a bold call for HR professionals to see themselves differently.”

Tunde Omisore, a lecturer at Osun State University, added that the emphasis on data and strategic alignment was long overdue.

“HR must move with the times. The world is changing—our approach must change too,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Olusegun O. Ajiboye, MCIPM, Chairperson of the CIPM Osun State chapter, thanked Elugbaju for delivering what he called “a transformative keynote.”

He pledged the institute’s commitment to promoting HR professionalism and ensuring the discipline is recognized as a central force in nation-building.

“Wande Elugbaju has reminded us that HR must evolve. We will continue to champion policies and programs that place HR where it belongs—at the core of strategy and development,” he said.

The conference ended on a high note, with participants pledging to implement the insights shared and advocate for a stronger, data-driven, and forward-thinking HR culture in their respective organisations.