The Director/Chief Executive, National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Prof. Adawale Solarin, has raised an alarm over the dearth of specialists to handle basic areas of mathematics, particularly algebra in Nigerian universities.

This is as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), worried by the dearth of specialists in the field of mathematics in the country and the West African sub-region, has committed the sum of $3.4m to assist the country improve the teaching and learning of the subject.

The money would be directed to develop a critical mass of graduates to promote research, teaching and learning in higher education in the designated location.

Solarin, who made the disclosure in Abuja at the inauguration of the UNESCO-NMC Chair Programme on Mathematics (Algebra), explained that the initiative would also encourage young female mathematicians by offering scholarships to them at the postgraduate level.

The NMC boss lamented that the use of non-experts to teach algebra, which is basic in the training of mathematicians at the undergraduate level, has not yielded positive results.

“It is an established fact that there is a dearth of specialist to handle this basic area of mathematics in almost all Nigerian universities. For now, in most Nigerian universities, non experts are used to teach Algebra since all students must take and pass algebra courses before they can graduate,” he stated.

The NMC boss, however, added that the programme would help in the promotion of a comprehensive framework of educational activities, research and provision of information and documentation in the area of mathematics (algebra) on a local, national and regional level.

“It will also ensure that our mathematics graduates can forthwith compete favorable with their counterparts around the globe, knowledge can be transferred to lecturers through the various courses, seminars, and workshop that would be organised by the chair regularly.

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in his remarks said the initiative would make significant contributions to the research and training in mathematics and in the advancement of knowledge building for the improvement of the teaching and learning of mathematics in general.

“I am therefore convinced that, based at this centre, this UNESCO Chair on Mathematics will serve the entire country by making relevant contributions to the range of higher education provision in mathematics in Nigeria.

On her part, the Director, UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, Prof. Benoit Sossou, expressed optimism that the programme would strengthen the teaching and delivery of effective Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools and higher institutions in the country.

“I am confident that the programme will help in maximising the use of available expertise in algebra as an area of specialty, by pulling together, such experts for effective teaching, research and organising courses to develop the critical mass of mathematicians required in our various universities.