Nigeria needs N180bn to rescue mathematics — Prof Solarin

Almost 200 billion naira is needed to correct the falling standards of mathematics education in Nigeria according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Prof. Adewale Solarin.

Speaking in Abuja during the First National Olympiads awards ceremony for secondary schools in Nigeria, Solarin said the government needs to commit more funding to the study of mathematics.

“We need about N180 billion to rescue the falling standard of mathematics in Nigeria considering the number of public schools we have," Solarin said.

"And we cannot get that only from the education budget this is where we have problem in getting the fund."

Solarin said a partnership between government and the private sector is necessary, adding that the severity of the situation calls for the declaration of a national emergency.

“Government should declare national emergency on mathematics as is done in some other countries; then national local centers should be established through to the presidency and then funds can be gotten from various agencies to fund it," he added.

He noted that NMC has been consistently moving mathematical education to international standard.

“NMC gives scholarship to top three candidates in the annual MAN mathematics competition for primary school pupils," he added.

"This scholarship is worth N6 million each."

The National Mathematical Centre was established in the year 1988 to develop appropriate initiatives and resources of international standing for reawakening and sustaining interest in the mathematical sciences at all levels in Nigeria.