NINE-YEAR-OLD NIGERIAN GIRL GAINS ATTENTION TEACHING MATHS ON TIKTOK

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

Nine-year-old Charlotte Muritala from Offa, Kwara State, is gaining attention for using TikTok to teach mathematics to children.

Charlotte, a JSS2 student, developed a passion for mathematics when she was about five years old. She has since turned her interest in numbers into online lessons, using a whiteboard, marker and smartphone to explain mathematical concepts.

Through her videos, Charlotte teaches topics such as algebra, fractions and the lowest common multiple, presenting solutions in simple, step-by-step formats that other children can easily follow.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, Charlotte said her love for mathematics was driven by her fascination with numbers.

“I started liking mathematics since when I was small. I love mathematics because I enjoy numbers,” she said.

Rather than being discouraged by difficult questions, Charlotte said she tackles them by breaking them down into smaller parts before solving them.

“First, I like breaking them into small parts. That makes it easier for me. So I break it into small parts, then I solve it,” she explained.

She added that whenever she encounters a challenging problem, she tries different approaches until she finds the method that works best.

“Once I start solving the hard problem, if I am not getting it, I will go and choose the best method and start solving it step by step,” she said.

For Charlotte, mathematics is not a difficult chore but an enjoyable activity.

“Mathematics is fun for me. Some questions are hard, but I like solving them,” she said.

Her enthusiasm for the subject has now extended to social media, where she shares lessons with other young learners.

According to Charlotte, her mother created a platform that allows her to share her knowledge with children and help them improve their understanding of mathematics.

“My mum created another platform for me to share what I know to other children. I feel very happy and proud of myself,” she said.

Charlotte’s father also spoke about her commitment to learning, noting that she spends a significant amount of time studying and reading.

“She’s always with mathematics. Every time, she’s always learning, reading every time,” he said.

However, he stressed that Charlotte remains a nine-year-old child who enjoys playing like her peers.

“She’s a child and she’s still nine years old. Sometimes she plays, but when it comes to reading, she doesn’t joke with it,” he added.

Her mathematics teacher described Charlotte as an outstanding student with an exceptional interest in solving mathematical problems.

The teacher said Charlotte’s passion for mathematics distinguishes her from many of her peers and praised her dedication to the subject.

“She has passion for solving mathematical problems. In all, she is an excellent and outstanding student,” the teacher said.

The teacher also called for increased support for children who demonstrate exceptional academic abilities, including access to qualified teachers, scholarships and adequate funding.

“If you want students to have interest in mathematics, secure the services of qualified teachers, give them scholarships and proper funding,” the teacher said.

Despite the attention she has received online for explaining mathematical concepts, Charlotte’s description as a “maths genius” should be regarded as a social-media or media label rather than a formal assessment of her abilities.

For children who find mathematics difficult, Charlotte has a straightforward message: practise consistently, learn from mistakes and remain determined.

“My advice to them is to never give up. They should keep practising every day and don’t be afraid of mistakes,” she said.