Mathematicians leaving Nigeria – Solarin

There is serious reduction in the quality of mathematical science and education in Nigeria because mathematicians are  deserting the country for greener pastures, the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Prof Adewale Solarin, has said.
Prof Solarin spoke when he led some officials of the centre on a visit to the Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja.
He noted that the quality and quantity of mathematical research coming out of Nigeria and the rest of Africa needed radical improvement.
“Africa still has a very long way to go to produce a critical mass of mathematical research scientists. Quite a number of scientists in Africa have deserted their countries in search of greener pastures, better facilities and more conducive working atmosphere in the developed countries leading to the proverbial brain drain. This is telling on the quality of mathematical science and research from the continent”, he said.
He said to address this anomaly, the centre was hosting the African Academy of Science-African Mathematical Union International Symposium on current research trends in mathematical sciences and applications in Abuja next month.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said the federal government was working to improve the working conditions of scientists and researchers in the country.