Human Capital Development: Efforts at Enhancing the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper reviewed the Human Capital Development in Science and Mathematics in Nigeria. The teacher
has been identified as the most important factor in meeting the Human Capital Needs of Nigeria in
Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST). Thus the country’s goal of becoming one of the 20 greatest
countries of the world by the year 2020 must adequately focus on the teacher. The Teaching Profession is
at the peak of all professions - it is the profession that creates other professions. All the efforts of the
Federal Government of Nigeria, STAN, MAN, and other organisations have not eradicated the acute
shortage of mathematics and science teachers. It is recommended that putting back the Teaching
Profession at the pinnacle it used to be in Nigeria (The Teaching Profession is at the pinnacle and has
always been at the pinnacle in other parts of the world), will check the exodus of trained teachers. This
way, the leakages being experienced in the profession would be eliminated and the Human Capital Needs
of Nigeria in Mathematics, Science and Technology met with minimal efforts.