KOSU, National Mathematical Centre to Formalise Strategic Partnership Following Professor Eniola’s Proposal
Kogi State University, Kabba (KOSU), is set to formalise a strategic partnership with the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja, to strengthen research, teaching and learning in Mathematics and related disciplines.
The proposed collaboration follows a partnership proposal presented to the Centre on 3rd August, 2026, by the Vice-Chancellor of KOSU, Professor K. I. T. Eniola fNSM, FRA.
The proposed areas of collaboration include joint research projects in Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Climate Modelling and Computational Mathematics; capacity building through workshops and training; student exchange and Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) opportunities; and community outreach programmes, including Mathematics competitions and public lectures for secondary schools.
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Presenting the proposal, Professor Eniola described the National Mathematical Centre as an elder in Mathematics whose expertise and guidance would be invaluable to the University’s quest for academic excellence.
He expressed concern over the declining interest in Mathematics among secondary school students and stressed the need to reverse the trend by leveraging the Centre’s expertise to improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and other science subjects.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed KOSU’s commitment to a productive partnership with the Centre, noting that such collaboration would create opportunities for research advancement, human capacity development and improved science education.
In his response, the Director/Chief Executive of NMC, Professor Benjamin Oyelami, highlighted the Centre’s contributions to the advancement of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences in Nigeria and beyond.
Professor Oyelami explained that the Centre operates within 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 the Centre fulfils these mandates through various initiatives, including the organisation of national and international Olympiads and the preparation of Nigerian students for prestigious competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), International Biology Olympiad (IBO), International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) and International Informatics Olympiad (IIO).
He further highlighted the Centre’s efforts to modernise Mathematics education through emerging fields such as Data Science, Machine Learning, Coding, Rural Networking and Ethno-mathematics, with the aim of making Mathematics more accessible and demonstrating its relevance to culture and everyday life.
Professor Oyelami assured KOSU of the Centre’s readiness to collaborate with the University and disclosed that steps would be taken to formalise the proposed partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen KOSU’s research capacity, enhance science education and expand opportunities for students and staff through specialised training, collaborative research and academic exchange.
Public Relations Unit
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 17th, 2026
