Mathematics, relevant solution to Ebola – MAN

Mathematics can become relevant in the attempt to find a cure for or eradicate the Ebola Virus Disease, the National President, Mathematical Association of Nigeria, Prof. Mohammed Ibrahim, has said.


According to him, Nigerian Mathematicians have developed Stability Analysis which, he said, could guide the government in its efforts to eradicate the disease.

He spoke in an interview with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday at the sidelines of the 51st Annual National Conference of the association themed ‘Mathematics education for sustainable development’.

Ibrahim said, “Mathematics can be relevant in finding a solution to Ebola vis a viz what we call stability analysis of Ebola. We have a special branch of Mathematics, which is known as Mathematical modelling. In this, what we do mainly is to do stability analysis.

“In Stability analysis, we take people to world population. We want to know the history. Most cases we normally categorise people into three or four classes: susceptible class, those who are prone to the disease; infectious class like Patrick Saywer; there is the recovery class which can also, in some cases, lead to death.

“In Mathematical modelling, we try to use the classification and the concept of population dynamics. When you want to eradicate a disease, you need to study it to know if it is parasite or virus and from there you reduce it to differential equation. From that, we now have stability analysis. There is also vaccination coverage.”

In a communique signed by Prof. Joseph Sadiku, the association urged government to lay emphasis on the importance of Mathematics to national development.

It stated that through Mathematics education, Nigeria would produce people that are creative, resourceful and innovative for national development. It added that attention should be given to provision of friendly learning environment.