Professor Bola Olabode, a distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), emphasized the vital role of mathematics as the foundation for industrial and technological advancement during her thought-provoking 174th inaugural lecture, held on November 12, 2024.
Her presentation, titled “God the First and the Greatest Mathematician: Mathematics as the Tool for Industrial Revolution,” explored mathematics’ transformative impact on various fields, from telecommunications to aerospace, underscoring its irreplaceable role in national and global development.
Professor Olabode opened by connecting mathematics to creation, asserting that “Mathematics began with God who numbered the days of creation as recorded in Genesis,” dispelling the notion of mathematics as mysterious. She described it as “simply the study of numbers, measurement, quantity, and space,” and credited it with the “amazing predictive power” behind modern technologies such as televisions, radios, cellphones, satellites, and GPS systems—all of which depend on mathematical principles to function and evolve.
Highlighting the subject’s importance, Professor Olabode, an expert in numerical analysis, observed that mathematics serves as the universal language, stating, “Communicating wirelessly through something deep and mysterious which has now become the language of the universe is deeply rooted in mathematics.” She referenced Plato’s perspective, explaining that “Mathematics is not manmade but exists independently and immutably, meaning Mathematics is the intelligence behind the universe, the intelligence that keeps everything running smoothly and orderly.”
Olabode noted that mathematics has been integral in aeronautical advancements, influencing both aircraft design and safety protocols. She expanded on its use in essential infrastructure projects, such as the construction of roads, buildings, dams, airports, and bridges, which all rely on mathematical accuracy. Even medical measurements like blood pressure and temperature depend on mathematical calculations, further affirming her statement that “mathematics is the bedrock of science and technology.”
The professor urged Nigerian petroleum companies to utilize advanced mathematical techniques, such as finite differences, to re-evaluate and potentially revive oil wells previously deemed exhausted. “Borrowing from American oil drillers who employed finite differences techniques to solve their dry well syndrome,” she said, Nigeria could similarly enhance oil production by embracing these methods.
She also advocated for a more supportive environment for technical innovation. She called on the government to fund and mentor local innovators, promote global ambitions, and encourage resilience by viewing setbacks as learning opportunities. Emphasizing that “industrialization is the only way to develop,” she urged the Federal Government to foster collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industries. Such partnerships, she argued, would allow resources and research to be strategically aligned with industrial and technological goals.
In her opening remarks, FUTA’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Professor Taiwo Amos, lauded Professor Olabode’s contributions to both academia and practical applications of mathematics. Professor Oladiji described her as a “thoroughbred academic with proven track records,” who has significantly advanced the university’s mission by mentoring graduates now excelling in various professional fields.
In closing, Professor Olabode reiterated her belief that a nation’s progress is bound to its mathematical foundation, asserting, “There can be no development without a firm mathematical foundation.”
