Overview
The National Mathematical Sciences Olympiad is run by the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja. The official site describes the NMC as the only accredited institution in Nigeria responsible for selecting and presenting candidates for the International Mathematical Olympiad. The 2026 olympiad moved to an online platform.
Who can apply
A registration guide for the 2023/24 session says the olympiad is open to students from JSS 1 to SS 3, and SS 3 students need written consent from a parent or guardian and their school. Confirm the current rules on the official site.
Exam pattern
The 2026 results pages list eight papers: Junior Mathematics, Senior Mathematics, Junior Science, Junior Informatics, Senior Informatics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The 2023/24 guide says students who do well in the first round go on to the second, third and fourth rounds, after which qualifying students are chosen in each subject for the international olympiads.
For the 2026 finals, the official site shows exams on Zoom with close monitoring, and only qualified students may take part:
| Date (2026) | Papers |
|---|---|
| Monday 16 March | Mathematics 9 to 11 am; Biology 1 to 3 pm |
| Tuesday 17 March | Informatics 9 to 11 am; Chemistry 1 to 3 pm |
| Wednesday 18 March | Physics 9 to 11 am |
After the exam
The official site lists national recognition, possible selection for Nigeria's international teams, scholarship opportunities, laptops or palmtops for top performers and consolation prizes. It lists recent International Mathematical Olympiad results: two silver medals in 2024, two gold medals in 2023, and one gold, one silver and one bronze in 2022.
How to apply
Registration is through the official site, where the registration code issued at sign-up is also your dashboard password. The public pages reviewed do not state a fee; check the current announcement.
Is it only a mathematics contest?
No. It also includes physics, chemistry, biology, junior science and informatics.