The Chief Examiner for General Mathematics at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Gwagwalada Centre, Mr. Samson Olubenga Otunubi, has urged students to embrace regular practice and consistency as the most effective way to overcome their fear of Mathematics and improve performance.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Otunubi described Mathematics as one of the easiest subjects to master when approached with the right mindset and sustained practice, lamenting that many students have been discouraged by the widespread perception that the subject is inherently difficult.
According to him, poor performance in Mathematics is often driven by ineffective teaching methods, negative societal attitudes, lack of interest and misconceptions that have been passed from one generation to another.
“Students must practise regularly and solve mathematical problems consistently. The more they practise, the more confident they become,” he said.
He encouraged learners to develop genuine interest in the subject and connect mathematical concepts with everyday life, noting that such an approach would deepen understanding and boost confidence.
Otunubi added that students who dedicate time to mastering the subject could achieve outstanding results, including perfect scores in examinations.
Describing Mathematics as the foundation of science, technology and several other disciplines, he said competence in the subject not only improves academic performance but also broadens career opportunities.
While commending recent education reforms, particularly the introduction of vocational and entrepreneurial education, the WAEC examiner cautioned against any move to relax Mathematics requirements for arts students, insisting that mathematical literacy remains essential across all fields.
He also acknowledged the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in learning but warned that AI-generated responses are not always accurate. He advised students to build strong foundational knowledge that would enable them to verify information obtained through AI tools.
