Imoni urges FG to recognise mathematics as strategic discipline for national development

Sunday Imoni, professor of Numerical Analysis, has urged the federal government to recognise mathematics as a strategic discipline essential for national development, saying that mathematics plays a critical role in addressing complex challenges such as economic instability, environmental sustainability, healthcare systems and technological innovations.

While delivering the 40th Inaugural lecture of the Federal University, Lokoja on Thursday themed ‘Ways to Wisdom, Progress in Numeric Methods for Oscillatory Systems, Imoni disclosed
that solid foundation in mathematics was vital for scientific and technological advancement, pointing out that government should improve teaching, training, secure resources for quality education.

He equally disclosed that without mathematics there can never be science and technology, stressing that ways to wisdom is a progress in numeric methods for oscillatory systems. He emphasised the importance of numerical analysis in everyday activities for both micro and macro organisations.

“Oscillatory systems are fundamental to understanding many phenomena in science, engineering, and applied Mathematics.

“From wave propagation in physical systems to periodic processes in biological, mechanical, and electrical systems, oscillations remain central to the modeling of dynamic behaviour.

“The journey described in this lecture from waves to wisdom captures the intellectual progression from observing oscillatory phenomena to developing reliable numerical tools for their analysis.

‘”The advancement of numerical methods for oscillatory systems has significantly enhanced our ability to solve complex differential equations that often resist analytical solutions.

“Through the development of stable, efficient, and high order numerical integrators, researchers have been able to enable scientists and engineers to simulate real -world oscillatory processes with increasing precision.

“However, despite the progress made, several challenges remain. Many real -life oscillatory systems involve stiffness, high frequencies, nonlinearities, and multi scale behaviour that continue to test the limits of classical numerical approaches.

‘Consequently, there is a continuous need for innovative numerical schemes that can efficiently capture oscillatory behaviour without excessive computational cost.

“The body of work discussed in this lecture demonstrates that
progress in numerical analysis is not merely about algorithmic improvement but also about deeper insight into the structure of mathematical models.

“The transition from understanding waves to acquiring wisdom reflects the gradual accumulation of knowledge that allows us to design numerical methods that respect the intrinsic properties of oscillatory systems.

“Ultimately interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced computational techniques, and the integration of modern technologies such as high performance computing and data -driven modelling.

“These developments will continue to strengthen the role of applied Mathematics in addressing complex scientific and engineering,” Imoni stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, Gbenga Ibileye, the new vice chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, explained the importance of inaugural lecture to the university system, adding that the
inaugural lecture is one of the enduring traditions of the academy. “It is where scholarship is not only presented, but accounted for, where years of intellectual labour are distilled, interrogated, and offered to the university and the wider society,” he said.

The VC further said: “I stand here today with certain sense of reflection. I had the privilege of delivering the 6th inaugural lecture of this university. Today, we are gathered for the 40th. That progression, from six to forty, is not merely a matter of numbers; it is a measure of growth, continuity, and steady work.”