Nigeria’s position on the Human Development Index (HDI) has once again raised concerns, as the country trails behind several African peers despite its economic potential and abundant natural resources.

The latest report, released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), shows Nigeria ranked lower than countries such as South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya in key indicators of health, education, and living standards.

While Nigeria has made progress in some areas, including improvements in literacy rates and life expectancy, the report notes that high poverty levels, limited access to quality healthcare, and infrastructural challenges continue to drag down its performance.

In contrast, Mauritius and Seychelles remain Africa’s HDI leaders, driven by strong healthcare systems, investments in education, and relatively stable economies. Countries like Rwanda and Ghana also recorded upward movement, reflecting gains in governance and social welfare policies.

Experts warn that unless Nigeria addresses systemic issues such as inequality, underinvestment in social services, and corruption, its development gap with Africa’s top performers may widen further.

The HDI report is widely regarded as a barometer of progress in human welfare, measuring not just economic growth but also the overall quality of life of citizens.