KASU Hosts 4th Annual Lectures and Award Ceremony, Declares 2025 Mathematics Olympiad Open

Kaduna State University (KASU) successfully hosted the 4th Annual Lectures and Award Ceremony, an event dedicated to addressing mathematics phobia among students while recognizing excellence in the subject. The ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, brought together esteemed academics, education stakeholders, and students.

The event commenced with opening remarks from the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Yahaya Sale, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board. Other notable dignitaries in attendance included 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 background to Pure Science, emphasizing perseverance and a positive mindset towards mathematics. He encouraged students to embrace the subject, highlighting its significance and urging mathematics teachers to adopt simpler teaching methods to enhance comprehension.

Delivering a lecture on the theme “Mitigating Mathematics Phobia Among Students,” Prof. Goje Uba Garba, through his representative Dr. Abdulsamad Imam, identified ineffective teaching methods as a major contributor to students’ fear of mathematics. He underscored the importance of recognizing patterns and shapes beyond mere calculations and advised teachers to be more accessible to students for guidance. He further encouraged students to engage in consistent practice to excel in the field.

A key highlight of the event was the recognition of outstanding students from 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 emerging as winners. Among them, four students were from Christ Ambassadors School, while the remaining eight represented various 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, signaling the commencement of another year of academic excellence in mathematics. The event reinforced the need for innovative teaching strategies and continuous student engagement to dispel mathematics anxiety and build confidence in the subject.