He insisted that the country could not remain relevant in the increasingly competitive and knowledge-driven world without promoting the development of science and technology at all levels of education.
Onah, who spoke in Abuja as part of programmes marking 2018 International Day of Mathematics, lamented that most students across the country hate Mathematics, which is the key to the study of all science-related subjects and disciplines.
He said: “The importance of Mathematics in today’s ‘global village’ and the rate of decline in interest by Nigerian students in the subject cannot be disputed.
“Love it or hate it, Mathematics remains as a ‘orthern star’ ever relevant in our lives. It is therefore, a subject to be adored just like a beautiful bride,” he said.
He noted that NMC has introduced a number of initiatives and innovation to simplify the teaching and learning of Mathematics.
He said the centre had identified two major reasons students have phobia for Mathematics: the poor teaching methods delivered by teachers and their general conducts on one hand and the attitude of students towards the subject and learning habits.
He said: “Globally, the need, usefulness of Mathematics in developing industries, environment, security, defence, ecology, economy, among others are not in doubt.
“Unfortunately, we cannot say the same of Nigeria, hence the need for the emphasis on Nigeria,” he said.