Prof Adebowale urges Lagos Govt, FG to promote mathematical literacy, enshrine computational modelling into public policy

 

A Professor of Computational Mathematics and Dean of Faculty of Science, Lagos State University (LASU), Akanbi Moses Adebowale, has urged both the Lagos State and the Federal governments to promote mathematical literacy and also enshrine computational modelling into public policy.

Prof Adebowale, who delivered the 114 Inaugural Lecture of the world class university, dwelt on what he christened, ‘The Nature of Error: Human Fallibility Versus Divine Infallibility in Computational Thought’.

Graced by a mammoth audience, the Inaugural lecture took place at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, LASU Main Campus at Ojo.

The great Mathematician in his recommendations, spoke directly to the Lagos State government and the Federal Government of Nigeria. “Incorporate mathematical modelling into public policy from urban planning to education forecasting and healthcare, decision-making must be informed by rigorous simulation and sensitivity analysis.”

“Support indigenous software development. Nigeria must build its own numerical tools tailored for local needs and contexts, especially in education and health,” he said.

He also recommended the Promotion of mathematical literacy in basic education, adding that Mathematics should be taught as a language of reasoning, not just a subject to pass. He therefore called for teacher retraining, curriculum redesign, and civic awareness.

To global academic and theological Community, Prof Adebowale maintained that there must be fora, journals, and conferences where scientists and theologians reflect jointly on divine order and numerical chaos.

He also advocated Promotion of open science with moral foundations, saying “As algorithms govern more aspect of life, we must not let automation outpace accountability.”

To the Lagos State University, he recommended that LASU and by extension other institutions, should strengthen mathematical research capacity: “LASU should invest in research clusters on computational mathematics, especially in health, engineering, and climate applications.

“Establish a centre for numerical modelling and stimulation. This centre can serve as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, postgraduate training, and consultancy services.

“Embed ethical and philosophical components into STEM Curricula. Students should learn not just how to calculate, but how to reflect on truth, purpose, and the implications of their models, Prof Adebowale stated.

Concluding on Human Fallibility, Divine Infallibility, and the Way Forward, he said, “The lecture has taken us on a journey through the world of mathematics, the structure of numerical approximation, and the fundamental tension between human limitation and divine perfection. It is a journey that begins in Eden and ends in today’s digital simulations; from Adam’s error to algorithmic error; from ancient prophecy to predictive computation.”

He added that Mathematics, especially in its computational form, is the science of reaching but not arriving. “Every approximation brings us closer to the truth, but never to the whole truth. Every iteration is a confession: we are not there yet. And this, to me, is what makes mathematics not just a science, but a deeply spiritual pursuit.

“Let us reflect on the themes that have emerged: Human fallibility is seen in the numerical error of our computations, the bias in our models, and the limitations of our assumptions. Divine infallibility is reflected in the precision of natural systems, the unchanging laws of the universe, and the harmony of created order.

“Mathematics is a bridge between the seen and the unseen, the finite and the infinite, the flawed mind of man and the flawless logic of God.
Computational thought, when pursued with humility, becomes a liturgy – a form of worship that acknowledges how little we know and how faithful God is.

“Whether through Runge-Kutta methods or SEIRD epidemic models, through singular BVPs or squeezing flows, the message is the same: We model to understand, but we must bow to wisdom who understands all things,” the great and erudite scholar stated.