Available as a Podcast
I made this post available as a podcast! If you’re not a fan of reading, just grab your headphones, hit play, and enjoy. But if you prefer reading, feel free to scroll down📜 and dive in—you’ll enjoy it just the same! Let me know what you think at the end. Bye for now!
Hi, I’m Teslim. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from one of Nigeria’s top universities. You’d think that would set me up for success, right? But here’s the catch: being a mathematician in Nigeria can feel like a curse if you don’t adapt quickly in today’s world.
After graduating, I was eager to start my career and set my sights on becoming a Mathematics lecturer. I had a passion for teaching, especially in Differential Equations — I could solve them in my sleep! But there was a big obstacle: in Nigeria, if you want to teach at a university, you almost always need a first-class degree, a minimum of 4.5 out of 5.0. Unfortunately, I graduated with a 4.3, just shy of that requirement.
So, my next step would have been to get a master’s degree. But studying for a master’s here isn’t as simple as it sounds. Our educational system has some serious challenges. For one, it took me 6–7 years to complete a 5-year program, thanks to strikes and the COVID-19 pandemic. Each time a strike happened, we had to pause everything, sometimes for months. And while we tried to keep studying on our own, there’s only so much motivation we could keep up when a strike seemed endless.
Many math graduates don’t know what to do with their degree because we don’t receive practical, real-world training
Most mathematicians in Nigeria find themselves lost after graduation, unsure of what to do next. This “mathematics curse” is one of the main reasons I wanted to write this post. Our education puts us through challenging courses that prepare us mainly for academia. But in reality, there’s little space in academia here. Even if you’re passionate and willing, becoming a graduate assistant is almost impossible unless you have the highest grades.
Now, what about working outside academia? Unfortunately, this is where things get even tougher. Many math graduates don’t know what to do with their degree because we don’t receive practical, real-world training. There’s a phrase in Nigeria that mocks us mathematicians: if you ask, “Where can you work?” the answer is usually, “Oh, we can work anywhere!” That sounds great, but without the right training, it’s just a joke.
Thinking Outside the Box
Many mathematics graduates feel trapped and are hesitant to explore other career paths. From my perspective, being a mathematician means you should be able to solve problems, think outside the box, and adapt to new challenges. I’ve read stories of mathematicians who contributed significantly during wartime, showcasing their problem-solving skills and innovative thinking.
However, today, many mathematicians in Nigeria believe that if they can’t become lecturers or professors, their options are limited. This mindset can be restrictive. The key is to embrace creativity and be open to solving diverse problems beyond academia.
It’s time to break free from this narrow perspective and explore new opportunities. As mathematicians, we have the tools to adapt and evolve in a rapidly changing world.
Solving Problems in Industry
Working in e-commerce and marketing, I recently published an article where I used a game theory model to help a business understand which ads contribute the most to conversions.
Imagine you own a clothing store called Cherry Wear. You sell beautiful dresses, stylish shoes, cozy jackets, and trendy accessories. To bring more people to your website and boost sales, you decide to run ads on platforms like Instagram, Google, Facebook, and YouTube.
Now, here’s the challenge: You’re paying to run ads on each of these platforms, but which one is actually driving the most sales? Are more customers buying from Instagram, or is Google bringing in more? And how do Facebook and YouTube compare? Knowing which platform works best is essential for making the most of your ad budget.
This is one example of solving real-world problems in the industry by self-studying. To view the full project, click: link
The Rise of Tech: Opportunities for Mathematicians
With the rise of technology and a global economy that’s more connected than ever, now is actually an amazing time to be a mathematician. But here’s the catch — many math graduates in Nigeria still cling to the idea of staying in academia. They prefer to play it safe, looking for academic positions even when they know how limited those opportunities are unless they pursue even higher degrees.
If we’re willing to step out of our comfort zones, there are plenty of career paths in the tech industry where our math skills can really shine. So, here are some career paths I’d recommend for mathematicians who are ready to explore new fields and make their mark.
It’s Time to Wake Up in 2025
In 2025, it’s time for mathematicians in Nigeria to wake up to new opportunities. There are many paths beyond academia where math skills can make a huge impact, especially with the rise of data and technology.
Becoming a data analyst means using data to answer a straightforward question: What is happening in the company? Companies have data stored in databases or files, and as a data analyst, your job is to use tools like Excel or SQL to find answers within that data. You might use bar charts, line charts, and tables to show what you discover. There’s no need for complex math here — you just need to learn how to use the right tools to answer important questions.
Data science takes things a step further. In this field, you use statistics, mathematical models, or machine learning to help companies optimize their operations and make future predictions. It’s an exciting field with a lot of potential. But before jumping in, ask yourself which industry you want to help solve problems in. Personally, I’m drawn to e-commerce and marketing.
Operations research is about using advanced math to help companies improve their processes. Operations researchers often work on optimizing supply chains, improving manufacturing, or solving logistical problems. This job is ideal if you like working with models and calculations to find the best way for companies to save time, reduce costs, and boost efficiency.
In finance, mathematicians are in high demand, especially as financial analysts. Financial analysts use quantitative models to predict stock trends, assess company performance, and advise on investment decisions. If you have a strong understanding of probability and statistics, this is an area with great earning potential.
Actuaries use math, statistics, and financial theory to assess risk, particularly in the insurance industry. They analyze data to predict future events like accidents, natural disasters, or health trends. Becoming an actuary involves passing specific exams, but it’s a stable and high-paying career.
In this role, you’ll use complex mathematical models to make high-stakes investment decisions. Quants are usually hired by banks, hedge funds, and investment firms. This field is highly competitive and requires strong skills in calculus, linear algebra, and programming, but it can be extremely rewarding.
Cryptography is a specialized field where math is used to create secure systems for storing and sharing data. Mathematicians work in cybersecurity to develop algorithms that protect information from hackers. This career is growing fast, especially with the demand for online security.
If you have a passion for understanding how markets work, you might consider becoming an economist. Economists use math to study trends, make forecasts, and develop policies. Many economists work for government agencies, think tanks, or private companies, using data to analyze the economic impacts of decisions and events.
This post isn’t a guide on how to learn these skills — that might come later. But if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone, there are so many paths you can explore. Just do some research and see what resonates with you.
In 2025, it’s time to make a change. If you’ve gotten through all those tough math courses, believe me — you can learn anything!
Getting Ahead: You Don’t Have to Stick to Your Degree
Let’s talk about getting ahead. The truth is, you don’t need to limit yourself to what you studied. Spend a month exploring different career paths. My advice? Don’t pick something just because it sounds “cool” (like “AI Engineer”) — find something that suits you and your personality.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Love visuals? Try design.
- Interested in security? Cybersecurity might be for you.
- Into marketing? Look into digital marketing.
- Passionate about photography? Dive into it and build your portfolio.
- Business-minded? Get into it; the possibilities are endless.
Invest in Learning
If you know self-study isn’t for you, look into tech schools. But be realistic — most skills can’t be mastered in three months. Aim for a program that takes a year. And remember, the learning never really stops in tech.
Document Your Journey
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to document your journey. This keeps you accountable and lets you see your progress. Start by creating a LinkedIn account to share your learning. But be cautious — don’t get discouraged by others’ posts; a lot of what you see may not be real. Trust your own journey.
The Takeaway
The main takeaway? Don’t be stuck with your degree. Explore. There’s a whole world of careers out there, and the right one is waiting for you.
Conclusion
I woke up and decided to write this without planning, and if people like it, I’ll write more in the future.
If you’re unsure how to get started in tech, I can guide you on how to learn. If you have a laptop, electricity, and internet access, you’re all set!
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. I’m always happy to help!
