The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka has advocated a policy which will incentivize studying Mathematics in Nigerian Universities.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the problems facing Mathematics scholarship is Nigeria is due to the thinking that those who study mathematics will end up in teaching.
He said proper career counseling is needed at the secondary school level to properly guide and expose students to the opportunities available in studying mathematics.
Professor Olayinka stated this in his remarks at the 75th Interdisciplinary discourse of the Post graduate school of the institution delivered by Former president of African Mathematics Union (AMU) Professor Aderemi Kuku entitled ‘Higher Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology’.
In his lecture, professor Kuku had called on the federal government to stop the brain drain in Mathematics, Science and technology and turn brain drain to brain gain by speaking to Nigerian scholars abroad to return to develop the country.
According to Professor Kuku, Nigeria must invest in the production of easy to understand mathematics textbooks saying “our school Teachers are not able to write innovative books because they do not understand what they teach”
He urged the Federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari to inculcate scientific culture through the popularization of science and technology and appointing round pegs in round holes to bring the desired development to the country.
Professor Kuku who described the science and technology policy of the federal government as superb noted however that it needs to be reviewed and implemented before Nigeria can have meaningful development driven by science and technology.
