MATHEMATICS ANXIETY AMONG NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS: CAUSES AND INSIGHTS

Mathematics is a foundational discipline that fosters logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and the ability to conceptualize abstract ideas, making it essential in daily life, scientific advancement, and societal development. Its practical applications span architecture, business, engineering, statistics, and computing, contributing to problem-solving, economic efficiency, and intellectual growth. In Nigeria, mathematics is a compulsory core subject in the secondary school curriculum, aimed at equipping students with essential skills for life and further education. Despite its importance, the effective learning of mathematics is hindered by challenges such as mathematics anxiety, which increasingly affects secondary school students and undermines their performance. This study explores the role of mathematics in personal and national development, highlights its practical usefulness, and examines the barriers that impede its mastery, emphasizing the need for strategies to mitigate anxiety and improve learning outcomes.