Hi there! I am Teslim, and I want to share my story with you. I studied Mathematics at one of Nigeria’s top universities, and let me tell you something that might surprise you: having a math degree in Nigeria can feel like a burden if you do not know how to use it properly.
The Dream That Almost Did Not Happen
When I graduated, I had big dreams of becoming a university lecturer. I loved teaching, especially Differential Equations. I could solve those problems with my eyes closed! But here is where reality hit me hard.
In Nigeria, if you want to teach at a university, you need almost perfect grades. I am talking about a 4.5 out of 5.0. I graduated with a 4.3. So close, yet so far away.
My backup plan was to get a master’s degree. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. What should have been a 5 year program took me 6 to 7 years because of strikes and COVID-19. Every time there was a strike, everything stopped for months. We tried studying on our own, but staying motivated when you do not know when school will reopen is really tough.
The Problem with Math Degrees in Nigeria
Here is the thing about studying mathematics in Nigeria: most of us graduate completely lost. We call it the “mathematics curse.” Our courses are designed for academic careers, but there are very few academic positions available. Even if you are passionate and ready to work, becoming a graduate assistant is nearly impossible unless you have the highest grades.
What about working outside universities? That is where things get even more complicated. Many math graduates do not know what to do because we never learned practical, real world skills. There is this running joke in Nigeria: when someone asks a mathematician “Where can you work?” the answer is always “Oh, we can work anywhere!” It sounds great, but without proper training, it is just empty words.
Breaking Free from Old Thinking
Many math graduates feel trapped. They think if they cannot become professors, they have no options. But here is what I believe: being a mathematician means you are a problem solver. You think differently. You can adapt to new challenges.
I have read stories of mathematicians who made huge contributions during wars, using their problem solving skills in creative ways. Today, many Nigerian mathematicians still think their only choice is academia. This thinking is holding us back.
Real Problems, Real Solutions
Let me give you an example of how I used my math skills in the real world. I worked with an e-commerce business that was running ads on Instagram, Google, Facebook, and YouTube. They wanted to know which platform was bringing in the most sales.
Imagine you own a clothing store called Cherry Wear. You are paying for ads on all these platforms, but which one is actually making you money? This is where game theory and mathematical modeling come in. I helped them figure out exactly which ads were worth their investment.
This is just one example of how math skills can solve real business problems. The opportunities are everywhere if you are willing to look.
Wake Up Call for 2025
It is 2025, and it is time for Nigerian mathematicians to wake up. Technology is booming, and there are so many career paths where our skills can shine. But many of us are still stuck thinking we can only work in academia.
If you are ready to step out of your comfort zone, here are some exciting career options:
Data Analytics is about answering the question “What is happening in this company?” You use tools like Excel or SQL to find patterns in company data. No complex math required, just the right tools and curiosity.
Data Science goes deeper. You use statistics and machine learning to help companies make better decisions and predict future trends. It is exciting work with lots of potential.
Operations Research is perfect if you love optimization problems. You help companies improve their processes, save money, and work more efficiently.
Financial Analysis is great for mathematicians. You use math to predict stock trends, assess company performance, and advise on investments. The pay is excellent too.
Becoming an Actuary means using math to assess risk, especially in insurance. You analyze data to predict accidents, disasters, or health trends. It requires passing specific exams, but it is stable and well paying.
Quantitative Analysis is high stakes work. You create mathematical models for banks and investment firms to make million dollar decisions. It is competitive but extremely rewarding.
Cryptography and Cybersecurity is a growing field where you use math to create secure systems and protect data from hackers.
Economics lets you study how markets work, make forecasts, and develop policies. Many economists work for government agencies or private companies.
Data Analytics is about answering the question “What is happening in this company?” You use tools like Excel or SQL to find patterns in company data. No complex math required, just the right tools and curiosity.
Data Science goes deeper. You use statistics and machine learning to help companies make better decisions and predict future trends. It is exciting work with lots of potential.
Operations Research is perfect if you love optimization problems. You help companies improve their processes, save money, and work more efficiently.
Financial Analysis is great for mathematicians. You use math to predict stock trends, assess company performance, and advise on investments. The pay is excellent too.
Becoming an Actuary means using math to assess risk, especially in insurance. You analyze data to predict accidents, disasters, or health trends. It requires passing specific exams, but it is stable and well paying.
Quantitative Analysis is high stakes work. You create mathematical models for banks and investment firms to make million dollar decisions. It is competitive but extremely rewarding.
Cryptography and Cybersecurity is a growing field where you use math to create secure systems and protect data from hackers.
Economics lets you study how markets work, make forecasts, and develop policies. Many economists work for government agencies or private companies.
You Are Not Stuck with Your Degree
Here is the truth: you do not have to limit yourself to what you studied. Spend a month exploring different career paths. Do not pick something just because it sounds cool. Pick something that fits your personality.
Invest in Learning
If self study is not your style, consider tech schools. But be realistic about timelines. Most skills cannot be mastered in three months. Look for programs that take at least a year. Remember, learning never stops in tech.
Document Your Journey
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to document your progress. Create a LinkedIn account and share your learning journey. But be careful not to get discouraged by others’ posts. Many of those success stories you see online are not the full picture. Trust your own journey.
The Bottom Line
Do not let your degree limit you. Explore. There is a whole world of careers out there waiting for you. If you made it through all those tough math courses, trust me, you can learn anything.
Ready to Start?
I wrote this article spontaneously, and if people find it helpful, I will write more. If you are unsure how to get started in tech, I can guide you. All you need is a laptop, electricity, and internet access.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. I am always happy to help fellow mathematicians find their path.