The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has approved the appointment of Benjamin Oyelami as the acting director and chief executive of the National Mathematical Centre, located in Sheda, Abuja.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued by Onyekachi Njoku, the centre’s Controller of Information and Public Relations, who noted that the appointment takes immediate effect.
Njoku explained that the decision followed the elevation of the immediate past director/chief executive, Promise Mebine, to the position of vice-chancellor at the Federal University Otuoke.
He added that the letter conveying the minister’s approval was signed by Rakiya Ilyasu, Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education.
Describing the new appointee, Njoku said Oyelami is a professor of mathematics who joined the centre more than two decades ago from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.
Over the years, he has served in several capacities at the centre, including as coordinator of the mathematics and theoretical physics programmes at different times.
Njoku further disclosed that Oyelami studied at the University of Jos and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, where he earned a second-class upper degree in mathematics before obtaining his MSc and PhD in the same discipline.
He noted that the professor has authored numerous publications in both national and international academic journals.
Before his latest appointment, Oyelami held the positions of deputy director and academic planning coordinator at the centre.
”His appointment is expected to strengthen the centre’s mission to promote excellence in research, innovation, teaching, learning and capacity building in mathematics and the mathematical sciences for national development,” he added.
