Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado-Ekiti
The 107th inaugural lecture of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has highlighted the transformative role of mathematics in national development, as Professor of Industrial Mathematics, Michael Oke, stated that mathematical concepts and optimization techniques remain indispensable tools for solving real-life challenges confronting Nigeria in critical sectors like electricity, healthcare, transportation, engineering and governance.
In his lecture, ‘Seeking the Best Way in Solving Real-Life Problems Using Mathematical Concepts: The Beauty of Optimal Techniques’, Oke said that mathematics is far more than an abstract academic discipline, describing it as the language of science and technology with practical applications in virtually every field of human endeavour.
He explained that industrial mathematics bridges the gap between theoretical mathematical concepts and practical solutions in engineering, manufacturing, finance, logistics, medicine and management sciences, enabling governments and industries to make informed decisions and maximize available resources.
According to him, optimization is the process of obtaining the best possible result under given circumstances by minimizing costs, reducing losses and maximizing efficiency.
“Mathematics is a practical subject best learnt by doing. Every individual, knowingly or unknowingly, applies mathematical reasoning in daily activities and decision-making,” he said.
Presenting highlights of his decades of research, Oke disclosed that he developed empirical mathematical models for analysing power losses on electricity transmission lines, establishing through regression analysis that transmission losses increase with distance.
He explained that the models, developed using Kirchhoff’s Circuit Laws and solved through advanced mathematical techniques, could help government reduce losses on electricity transmission and distribution networks, improve power supply and restore investors’ confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
The professor also demonstrated how mathematical modelling can be applied in road engineering by determining the surface area and volume of potholes on Nigerian roads using surface and volume integrals.
In the health sector, he explained that optimization techniques were successfully applied to a Susceptible-Vaccinated-Infected-Recovered (SVIR) epidemic model to determine effective disease-control strategies.
Oke further highlighted the application of optimization models in transportation and management sciences, where mathematical techniques help determine the most efficient and cost-effective routes for vehicle fleets, thereby reducing operational costs and improving service delivery.
He also presented findings from research in fluid dynamics, showing how magnetic fields and thermal radiation affect fluid flow under industrial conditions, with implications for engineering and manufacturing processes.
The don urged governments at all levels to increase investment in mathematics education and research, insisting that sustainable national development cannot be achieved without science, technology and innovation.
Among his recommendations, Oke advocated the introduction of Industrial Mathematics as an undergraduate programme in Nigerian universities to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial applications.
He also called for the establishment of postgraduate programmes in Mathematics for Industry, scholarships for exceptional mathematics students, and the provision of modern mathematics laboratories equipped with contemporary hardware and software.
The professor further suggested that aspiring political office holders should possess at least a credit pass in Mathematics at the senior school certificate level, arguing that mathematical reasoning enhances analytical thinking and improves decision-making in governance.
He stressed that mathematics remains the foundation of scientific advancement and technological innovation, adding that the country’s quest for sustainable development would depend largely on its ability to harness mathematical knowledge to solve real-life problems.
