KOSU VC Seeks NMC Partnership to Advance Science Education
Kogi State University, Kabba, and the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, are set to formalise a partnership to advance mathematical research, strengthen science education and expand training opportunities for students and staff.
Kogi State University, Kabba (KOSU), is set to establish a strategic partnership with the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja, to strengthen mathematical research, improve teaching and learning, and expand academic opportunities for students and staff.
The proposed collaboration follows a partnership proposal presented to the Centre on August 3, 2026, by the Vice-Chancellor of KOSU, Professor K. I. T. Eniola, fNSM, FRA.
The proposed areas of cooperation include joint research in Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Climate Modelling and Computational Mathematics. Other areas are capacity development through workshops and specialised training, student exchange programmes, Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) opportunities, and community outreach initiatives.
The outreach component is expected to include mathematics competitions and public lectures designed to stimulate interest in the subject among secondary school students.
Presenting the proposal, Professor Eniola described the National Mathematical Centre as an established institution with considerable experience in Mathematics, whose expertise and guidance would be valuable to KOSU’s pursuit of academic excellence.
He expressed concern about declining interest in Mathematics among secondary school students, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to reverse the trend. According to him, collaboration with the Centre would provide an opportunity to draw on its expertise to improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and other science subjects.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to a productive partnership, noting that the proposed arrangement would create opportunities for research advancement, human capacity development and improved science education.
Responding, the Director and Chief Executive of the National Mathematical Centre, Professor Benjamin Oyelami, highlighted the Centre’s contributions to the advancement of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences in Nigeria and internationally.
Professor Oyelami explained that the Centre operates under five core mandates: advanced research; training and high-level manpower development; talent identification and human capacity development; outreach activities; and the production of industrial materials.
He noted that these responsibilities are pursued through several initiatives, including the organisation of national and international Olympiads and the preparation of Nigerian students for major international competitions.
Among the competitions he mentioned were the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), International Biology Olympiad (IBO), International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) and International Informatics Olympiad (IIO).
The NMC chief executive also highlighted the Centre’s efforts to modernise Mathematics education by incorporating emerging fields such as Data Science, Machine Learning, Coding, Rural Networking and Ethno-mathematics.
He explained that these approaches are intended to make Mathematics more accessible, demonstrate its practical applications and establish stronger connections between the subject, cultural practices and everyday life.
Professor Oyelami assured KOSU of the Centre’s readiness to work with the university and disclosed that steps would be taken to formalise the proposed collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen KOSU’s research capacity, improve science education and create wider opportunities for students and academic staff through specialised training, collaborative research and academic exchange.
The development represents a proposed step towards closer cooperation between the two institutions in advancing mathematical sciences and encouraging greater interest in Mathematics among young Nigerians.