Kaduna State University (KASU) played host to the 4th Annual Lectures and Award Ceremony, an event aimed at addressing mathematics phobia among students while celebrating excellence in the subject.
The event took place on Wednesday, 26th February 2025 commenced with opening remarks from the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Yahaya Sale, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board. Among the dignitaries present were Dr. Abdullahi Maikudi, who served as the Father of the Day, and the Guest Speaker, Prof. Goje Uba Garba, represented by Dr. Abdulsamad Imam.
In his address, Prof. Yahaya Sale shared his personal experience of transitioning from a Social Science student to a Pure Science student, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. He encouraged students to embrace mathematics, describing it as one of the best subjects, and advised mathematics teachers to adopt simpler teaching methods to enhance students’ understanding.
Delivering a lecture on the theme “Mitigating Mathematics Phobia Among Students,” Prof. Goje Uba Garba, through his representative Dr. Abdulsamad Imam, attributed the fear of mathematics to ineffective teaching methods. He stressed that mathematics extends beyond calculations to recognizing patterns and shapes. He urged teachers to be more accessible to students who seek further clarification and encouraged students to practice regularly to excel in the field.
The event also featured the recognition of outstanding students in the 2024 Mathematics Olympiad, held in May 2024. A total of 925 students participated in the first stage, with 310 advancing, and ultimately, 12 students emerged as winners.
Among the winners, four students were from Christ Ambassadors School, while the remaining eight hailed from various other institutions. Awards were presented to the top-performing students, as well as the Best School of the Year.
As the ceremony concluded, the 2025 Mathematics Olympiad was officially declared open, paving the way for another year of academic excellence in mathematics.
The event reinforced the need for innovative teaching strategies and continuous student engagement to dispel fear and build confidence in mathematics.