Mathematics should be demystified and made more accessible to learners, a Professor of Mathematics (Fluid Mechanics) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Felix Ilesanmi Alao, has said.
Delivering the 188th inaugural lecture of the institution on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, titled “Mathematics: Myths, Mysteries and Life”, Alao emphasized that mathematics is not just about complex equations and symbols but a vital tool for commerce, science, and engineering.
He urged teachers at all levels to remove the perception that mathematics is “mysterious” and make its teaching more friendly. “Administrators of educational institutions should engage qualified and competent teachers with attractive remuneration,” he said.
Alao, who is also the Director of the Open and Distance Learning Centre at FUTA, called on governments to provide conducive teaching and learning environments, including modern mathematics laboratories, equipped classrooms, computers, and teaching aids. He recommended special allowances for mathematics teachers and annual recognition for outstanding teachers and students in mathematics competitions. Parents, he added, should encourage children who love mathematics rather than discourage them.
Quoting the renowned mathematician Shakuntala Devi, Alao said: “Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is number.” He likened life to a mathematical equation, where challenges can be transformed into opportunities.
According to the don, mathematics equips individuals to analyze and quantify both visible and invisible phenomena, fostering objectivity and analytical thinking. “An average mathematician is always analytical, objective, and discreet,” he noted. Tracing mathematics back to biblical times, he said the numbering of days in Genesis 1 shows early human understanding of order and measurement.
Alao highlighted the real-life applications of mathematics, including budgeting, financial planning, construction, engineering, computer technology, weather forecasting, sports science, and health sciences. On health applications, he cited research showing how the viscosity of blood impacts sickle cell anemia crises and how mathematical models can guide treatment strategies.
He also pointed out mathematics’ role in strategic planning, recalling its use in World War II by British and Allied forces through Operations Research to optimize resources, plan convoy routes, and coordinate military operations. In engineering, he stressed that designers and engineers in food processing, vehicles, oil exploration, aeronautics, and aerospace should apply research findings from mathematics to improve design and quality.
Alao urged governments to harness applied mathematics in national development by involving mathematicians in strategic planning.
Introducing the lecturer, FUTA Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, described Alao as an authority in a field many find difficult. She praised his systematic contributions to mathematics education and his role in producing graduates who are excelling in society, calling him a dependable asset to the university.
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