Mathematics Education Key To Nigeria’s Economic Diversification – Promasidor MD

Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olivier Thiry,  has explained that a strong foundation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education has become very important at this stage that Nigeria requires to broaden its economic base from a primary commodity-driven to a services oriented economy like that of the developed world.

Thiry, who was speaking in Lagos on Tuesday at the press briefing marking the commencement of the 2016 Cowbellpedia secondary School Mathematics T.V Quiz competition, added that STEM education will galvanize the economy in such a direction.


“Economic development in the developed world has occurred at the speed and intensity it has due to a strong foundation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

L – R: Mr. Kachi Onibogu, Commercial Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited; and Mr. Olivier Thirry, Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited and Mr. Festus Tetley, Head Marketing, Promasidor Nigeria Limited at the media briefing on the 2016 Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics T.V Quiz Competition in Lagos on Tuesday

“STEM courses are pivotal to a nation’s technological advancement and Mathematics, which has historically been seen by students, as an unattractive subject is a key component of STEM education,” he said.

Thiry on the occasion also announced that from 2016, Promasidor has taken a strategic decision to bring all Mathematics intervention activities by Cowbell under one umbrella, COWBELLPEDIA.

He added that the company will continue with its Mathematics intervention activity for Secondary Schools in Nigeria using the name Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show. He disclosed that over the years, this sponsored platform for both Junior and Senior Secondary categories has evolved from the humble beginning of a Lagos state only examination to a nationwide examination that has received the support of the Federal Ministry of Education.

Thiry also informed that the company significantly increased the prize money for the finals for both students and teachers. This year he said, the top prize student winner in each category will go home with One Million Naira in addition to other prizes, while the teacher will be awarded Four Hundred Thousand Naira.

“All these improvements are to underscore Promasidor’s effort to provide a credible platform that discovers, recognizes and rewards excellence in Mathematics, a critical component of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria. This is in addition to the quality nutrition that is provided by the Cowbell brand for the nourishment of the Nigerian populace especially children,” he said.

In order to encourage the Girl Child Education, Thiry appealed that Mixed Secondary Schools must nominate minimum two (2) girls for each category to represent such school. “This is our own little way of encouraging the girl child to take interest in education especially the STEM courses,” he said.