By David Christopher Dari & Mariyam Ekom

A university don, Professor Olayemi Akinyemi, has decried what he described as undue empahsis on science education to the detriment of arts, social sciences and humanities.

Professor Olayemi, who is the Dean, Faculty of Arts in the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, expressed his displeasure while speaking with newsmen shortly after the second edition of the lecture series organised by the faculty at the multi-purpose hall of the university, recently.

He said that the undue emphasis given to science education to the detriment of the humanities was causing a monumental setback to the country’s educational system and future development of the society.

"In fact, the current decision to give 40 – 60 ratio in favor of the sciences represents a lack of focus of what development was all about since all aspects are highly desirable to our national development," he lamented.

The university don, who is a historian disclosed that history was very significant to all aspects of human endeavour, as it was only past and shape its future for an adequate adjustment and benefits.

Profesor Olayemi who argued that even with the much emphasis or attention being given to the science based education, there was no meaningful progress recorded in the country so far in terms of science based inventions that have impacted meaningful on the lives of the people.

In his words, "Even with the emphasis being given to the science based education, Nigerians still patronises foreign goods as we have failed to manufacture or come out with our own to take care of our needs", he said.

He advocated for a situation whereby all aspects of education were given considerable attention to enable them contribute to the general development of the country, expressing his satisfaction with the remarkable success recorded by the faculty in its social and academic endeavouors.

Professor Olayemi further expressed his delight with the success recorded by the lecture seriers, believing that it has gone a long way in promoting the image of the university.

He then commended the authorities of the university under the leadership of Professor Adamu Baikie, for its good leadership qualities, the numerous successes recorded by the faculty were made possible by his support.