Prof. Ezekiel Olusola Ayoola, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Ibadan, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise investment in mathematical sciences as a cornerstone for technological advancement.
Speaking during his retirement valedictory and birthday lecture at Trenchard Hall, Ibadan, Ayoola stressed that Nigeria must make sustained investments in mathematics education to remain competitive globally.
He criticised policymakers for neglecting the discipline, noting that mathematical sciences were excluded from direct funding under TETFUND’s thematic research priorities.
Ayoola compared Nigeria’s situation to countries like the United States and those in Europe and Asia, which heavily fund mathematical research to drive innovation.
He emphasised that mathematics forms the Foundation of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, data analysis, and optimisation, all of which are essential for national development and industrial growth.
