In attempting to explain the rather inconsistent growth of manufacturing industries in Nigeria, this study seeks to investigate the effect of human capital on manufacturing output in the Nigerian industrial firms. The study adopts human capital theory as a basis for the theoretical framework. Micro-data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (2014) is utilised to perform Spearman Correlation in investigating the specific effects of HC on manufacturing value-added for Nigerian industries. High-school education, formal training and research were found to have a weak positive but significant impact on levels of manufacturing output. Therefore, recommendations on improved human capital quality via public-private partnerships, fostering trainings, research activities and conducive business environment in terms of unbiased and efficient institutions for manufacturing sectors, among others were proffered.