Obi argued that the ability to reason clearly and make sound judgements is an indispensable quality that mathematics nurtures.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the decision of the Federal Government to remove mathematics from the list of compulsory subjects required to gain admission into tertiary institutions by arts students, calling it a “regrettable step backwards.”
He made this known on Tuesday in a now-trending post he shared on his official X page.
According to Obi, such a policy will hinder the collective effort to build an enlightened, competent, and globally competitive society.
The former Anambra State governor added that mathematics is not merely about numbers but cultivates logic that sharpens critical thinking and develops problem-solving skills essential for everyday life.
He further argued that whether one studies the arts or sciences, the ability to reason clearly and make sound judgements is an indispensable quality that mathematics uniquely nurtures.
Speaking via his verified social media handle, Obi wrote, “To suggest that arts students do not need mathematics is to imply that they can do without clarity of thought or analytical precision, the very foundations of intellectual maturity.
“Once students believe they can safely neglect the subject, many will abandon it altogether, leaving them ill-prepared for the demands of modern life, where logic, computation, and structured reasoning underpin almost every human activity.
“At a time when the world is driven by science, technology, and data, it is disheartening, indeed, dirt to the ears, to hear of such retrogression. We cannot afford to return to a system that sidelines mathematics. Our education policy must aim to equip every child, regardless of discipline, with the skills and competencies relevant to the twenty-first century.
“At this juncture, one is constrained to ask the reason behind its removal as a required subject for admission. Does it mean that our tertiary institutions lack enough students because of mathematics? What, indeed, are the reasons?
“I therefore urge the relevant authorities to reconsider this decision in the interest of our students and the future of our nation and reinstate it as a core admission subject. Education should move forward, not backward.”
