The Federal Government, through the National Mathematical Centre, on Monday said mathematics remains central to Nigeria’s quest for national development.
The acting Chief Executive Officer of the NMC, Benjamin Oyelami, made this known in a statement to celebrate the International Day of Mathematics.
Oyelami urged the government and stakeholders to strengthen the role of mathematics in national planning, science, and technological development.
The statement was signed by the Controller, Information and Public Relations of the NMC, Onyekachi Njoku.
The day, observed annually on March 14 and proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, celebrates the importance of mathematical sciences in addressing global challenges and driving innovation across various sectors.
According to him, nations that prioritise mathematics and related sciences are better positioned to solve complex socio-economic problems and achieve sustainable development goals.
“Without the hope of mathematical solutions to national problems, such challenges would persist and the world would not be a better place to live in,” Oyelami said.
He added that the benefits of mathematics extend beyond classroom learning, noting that the discipline plays a vital role in nearly every sphere of human endeavour, including engineering, medicine, finance, technology and policy planning.
“Mathematics is relevant in solving both simple and complex problems. Every course in life requires the application of mathematics,” he said.
The International Day of Mathematics, often associated with the widely celebrated “Pi Day,” was officially proclaimed by UNESCO in 2019 to promote global awareness of the importance of mathematical sciences.
UNESCO notes that mathematics underpins modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, medical imaging, climate modelling, cybersecurity and space exploration, making it indispensable for development and innovation worldwide.
The annual celebration is marked by conferences, competitions, exhibitions and educational outreach programmes in schools and universities across more than 70 countries.
Despite its significance, concerns remain over the performance of students in mathematics across Nigeria’s education system.
Education experts have repeatedly warned that weak foundations in mathematics threaten the country’s ability to produce enough graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
Recent education reports indicate that performance in mathematics remains a major hurdle for many secondary school students.
In some national examinations, a significant proportion of candidates fail to secure credit passes in core subjects, including mathematics and English, which are required for admission into higher institutions.
Stakeholders have linked the problem to several factors, including inadequate teaching resources, shortage of qualified teachers, poor learning infrastructure and negative attitudes toward the subject.
Oyelami highlighted the contributions of the National Mathematical Centre, which was established in 1988 to promote the development and application of mathematical sciences in Nigeria.
He said the centre had continued to fulfil its mandate through advanced research, capacity development and talent-hunt programmes aimed at discovering and nurturing mathematically gifted students across the country.
“The centre has been living up to its mandate through core academic and scientific activities which include advanced research, training and high-level manpower development, talent hunt programmes, human capacity development, as well as outreach and instructional materials development,” he said.
The NMC boss also noted that the centre regularly organises postgraduate foundation programmes and collaborates with universities to supervise postgraduate students in mathematical sciences.
He explained that the centre hosts conferences, workshops and symposia designed to upgrade the knowledge and teaching capacity of lecturers from universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Oyelami also outlined several innovations introduced by the centre to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics across Nigeria’s education system.
According to him, the centre has developed teaching resources, including mathematics kits and digital learning tools such as Wiz Teacher and DIMANET software to simulate classroom learning, particularly at the foundational level.
He also highlighted the promotion of the Mental Arithmetic concept, which focuses on improving students’ ability to solve mathematical problems quickly without relying on calculators.
“The National Council on Education adopted Mental Arithmetic for inclusion in the basic education curriculum in 2015,” he said.
The NMC chief executive further disclosed that the centre had strengthened partnerships with tertiary institutions to deepen research and postgraduate training in mathematical sciences.
He said the centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal University of Technology, Minna, for collaborative postgraduate programmes.
The centre has also entered into a partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria to jointly establish a Centre of Excellence in Mathematical Sciences.
According to Oyelami, such collaborations are aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s research capacity and producing the high-level manpower required to drive innovation and scientific advancement.
He emphasised that mathematics would continue to remain a key instrument for solving human problems and driving development across various disciplines.
“Mathematics, the queen of the sciences, will continue to provide solutions to human challenges and remain the foundation for the advancement of arts, sciences, engineering, technology and medicine,” he added.
Education stakeholders say strengthening mathematics education will be critical for Nigeria as the country seeks to expand its digital economy, develop technological innovation hubs and compete in the global knowledge-driven economy.
