The West African Examinations Council's Chief Examiner for General Mathematics at the Gwagwalada Centre, Mr Samson Olubenga Otunubi, has attributed poor student performance in Mathematics to ineffective teaching methods, negative societal perceptions, lack of interest, and misconceptions transmitted across generations.

Otunubi assessed during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, where he identified regular practice and consistency as the most reliable path to overcoming widespread fear of the subject.

He maintained that Mathematics was among the easiest subjects to master, arguing that its reputation for difficulty had discouraged generations of students who could otherwise excel with the right attitude.

"Students must practice regularly and solve mathematical problems consistently. The more they practice, the more confident they become," he said.

Otunubi urged students to connect mathematical concepts to everyday activities as a practical strategy for deepening understanding and sustaining interest. He added that students who achieved mastery of the subject were capable of attaining perfect scores.

He called on parents to support their children by supplying relevant textbooks and hiring qualified Mathematics teachers where the need arose. Schools, he noted, bore equal responsibility and should prioritise the recruitment of competent teachers, provide adequate motivation and ensure that sufficient instructional materials were available.

Otunubi described Mathematics as the foundation of multiple academic disciplines, arguing that proficiency in the subject strengthened students' overall academic performance and broadened their career prospects.

He expressed support for recent education reforms, including the incorporation of vocational and entrepreneurial education, but warned against reducing Mathematics requirements for arts students. Maintaining high academic standards, he argued, would compel students to approach their studies with greater seriousness.

On the growing use of Artificial Intelligence in education, Otunubi acknowledged the technology's potential to enhance learning when applied appropriately. He cautioned, however, that students must not become wholly dependent on it, noting that AI systems could produce inaccurate responses. Students, he advised, should build sufficient knowledge to evaluate and verify whatever AI tools generated.