Structuring Wicked Problems in Nigeria: The Operations Research Approach
N. Nyor *
Department of Mathematics, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria.
U. Y. Abubakar
Department of Mathematics, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria.
M. Jiya
Department of Mathematics, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria.
F. Terdoo
Department of Geography, Federal University Dutsima, Nigeria.
T. Iorlamen
Department of Crop Production, Joseph Saawuan Tarkaa University Makurdi, Nigeria.
O. M. Adetutu
Department of Statistics, Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria.
P. O. Evans
Department of Mathematics, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Nigeria.
E. D. Dzarma
Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Modibbo Adama University Yola, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to unravel the nature of some current problems in Nigeria as being wicked and ill structured. Since such problems are messy in nature, they cannot be handled by traditional research procedures. However, Operations Research offers dynamic models in which such squishy problems can be analyzed to reach satisfactory solutions. It is recommended in this paper that since Operations Research is an interdisciplinary scientific method for providing executives with quantitative basis for decision making; researchers in other fields of study outside mathematics should feel free to cash on this advantage to tackle wicked problems in their various fields.
Keywords: Dynamic model, wicked problems, messy problems, ill-structured, squashy problems