Prof. Samuel Iyase, Department of Mathematics, Covenant University, Ota, has advised the Federal Government to make more funds available for mathematical researches, in order to bridge the technological gap between Nigeria and developed countries.
Iyase made the call on Saturday at the 14th Inaugural Lecture of the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, with theme :Mathematics: A Platform For Leapfrogging into Scientific And Technological Advancement.
According to him, mathematics is a catalyst to achieving technological advancement and reducing the scientific and technological gap existing between developed nations and Nigeria.
“Mathematics education is the driving force for scientific and technological advancement.“ he said.
The Don stressed the need for federal government to invest in technological researches so as to attain sustainable economic development.
Iyase explained that the under development of Nigeria and other African countries in science and Technology was to some extent traceable to the low level of development in mathematical scientific.
“Most developed countries devoted a sizable part of their budget to education especially for mathematical research.“ the Don said.
He noted that there was the need for the federal government to allocate more funds for education because funds provided by government agencies like the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), were not inadequate for mathematical research.
Iyase urged the federal government to compel multinational companies to reserve a certain percentage of their profits to support research in mathematics and the basic sciences.
The Don explained that in order for Nigeria to achieve scientific and technological advancement, there was the need to form a think-tank of top level mathematical professionals to offer advice on the domestic application and use of mathematical tools in solving problems in government, business and industry.
Earlier, Prof. Aaron Atayero, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, said that the inaugural lecture was timely.
Atayero, represented by Prof. Shalom Chinedu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, called on participants to proffer solutions to some of the nation’s challenges. (NAN)
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