INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION (IJRSI) ISSN No. 2321-2705 | DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI |Volume XI Issue VII July 2024 www.rsisinternational.org Page 484 Human Development - Economic Growth Nexus: The case of ECOWAS Member States. Liatu Damishi Omoyiola, Felix Fofana N’Zué ECOWAS, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria DOI: https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2024.1107036 Received: 24 June 2024; Accepted: 29 July 2024; Published: 06 August 2024 INTRODUCTION In recent decades, human development and economic growth have become fundamental indicators of a nation's progress, serving as key objectives for governments and policymakers in their pursuit of poverty alleviation and societal advancement. According to the United Nations (UN), development transcends mere economic growth, and there exists a vital connection between human development and economic prosperity. The UN underscores that as people's capabilities are expanded and their well-being elevated, they become more productive contributors to the economy. This imperative correlation between human development captured through the Human Development Index (HDI) and economic growth has ignited discussions on refining the measurements of progress (UNDP, 2021). Therefore, the utilization of the Human Development Index has expanded the scope of discussions on development by encompassing more comprehensive concepts of sustainability, beyond mere economic viewpoints, in the evaluation of development metrics. Human capital, referring to the productive capacity of people, encompasses attributes like skills, wellness, and the ability to transform resources into goods and services. (Mincer, 1984) emphasized its significance in increasing productivity and sustaining competitive advantage. Therefore, Human capital plays a pivotal role in a country's sustainable economic growth by impacting poverty reduction. On a macro level, it affects labor productivity, innovation, and technology, while at the micro level, it enhances an individual's earning capacity. Developed nations have demonstrated this through substantial investments in human capital formation (Pelinescu, 2015). According to the UN report (UNECE, 2016), economic growth factors such as human capital, cannot only be used to assess the development of a country and a broader, more comprehensive approach should also be considered, which is human development. Human development goes further than the economic factors associated with human capital but also encompasses the social and cultural aspects that contribute to better quality of life and well-being of individuals. Human development is therefore referred to as the ultimate goal of the development process (Klugman, Rodriguez, & Choi, 2011). To properly quantify human development, the United Nations came up with a mean set of indices called the human development index. Unlike relying solely on GDP, the Human Development Index (HDI) provides a comprehensive measure of well-being, considering three aspects of human development: living a long and healthy life, education attainment, and a decent standard of living (UNDP, 2023). The HDI has helped to broaden the focus of development economics from purely economic growth to a more individual-centered approach. The persistently low levels of human capital development, as evidenced by the low Human Development Index (HDI) within the ECOWAS region, pose a significant threat if left unaddressed. This issue is critical due to its multifaceted consequences. A major concern arises from the vulnerability it exposes the population to, including the inability to recognize and seize opportunities, high unemployment rates, and susceptibility to external influences. In extreme cases, this vulnerability can be exploited for malicious purposes, such as terrorist acts, which threaten the country's safety and stability. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance the