By John Menakaya

The EdTech sector in Nigeria is thriving, driven by an increasing demand for accessible, affordable, and quality education across the continent. Here are the profiles of five Nigerians making waves in the EdTech industry whose work is unique, impactful, and shaping the future of digital education in Africa.

Sim Shagaya – Founder, uLesson

Why His Work is Unique:

Sim Shagaya’s uLesson is a trailblazer in the African EdTech sector, offering mobile-first, interactive learning solutions for K-12 students across Africa. Shagaya recognized the potential of mobile technology in transforming education, and uLesson’s approach to blending interactive video lessons, quizzes, and comprehensive learning modules makes it one of the most engaging platforms for students. His emphasis on adapting the platform to different African educational systems has ensured that the platform resonates with a wide variety of learners, even in rural or under-served regions.

Contribution to the EdTech Space:

Shagaya’s uLesson has had a profound impact on education in Africa by providing high-quality digital lessons that span a wide range of subjects and are aligned with national curricula. Through partnerships with telecom providers, uLesson has made educational content more affordable and accessible to students who would otherwise lack the resources for private tuition or quality textbooks. uLesson has demonstrated the power of tech-driven education to overcome geographical and financial barriers, empowering students to achieve better learning outcomes.

Why He Was Selected:

Sim Shagaya is a visionary who has redefined education in Africa through technology. His ability to secure funding, scale operations, and drive mobile-first education has positioned uLesson as one of the leading platforms in the region. His impact is felt across millions of students, and his role in making education accessible to all places him at the forefront of African EdTech innovation.

Vincent Chidozie Okeke – Co-founder, DoviLearn

Why His Work is Unique:

Vincent Okeke is a prominent figure in the African EdTech space, his time with Unicaf Limited, a prominent leader in the online higher education space in Africa, with presence in 12 African countries, including in Europe, sets him apart as a major contributor to the digital education landscape in Africa. In addition, his role in DoviLearn, a platform focused on professional development and career-based learning, also speaks volumes. DoviLearn’s catalogue of courses is specifically designed to help professionals upgrade their skills, providing access to training in areas like digital marketing, project management, and business development. Vincent’s platform takes a learner-centric approach, ensuring that courses are not only relevant but also aligned with global industry standards.

Contribution to the EdTech Space:

Vincent Okeke was integral to the growth of Unicaf Limited, a leading online higher education provider. He played a major role as the Marketing and Business Manager in scaling the platform and making accredited degrees from top universities accessible to students across the continent. His extensive experience in both online learning and EdTech product management has influenced DoviLearn’s model, which emphasises practical learning, mentorship, and post-course support to ensure career progression. Before co-founding DoviLearn, Vincent contributed significantly to skill development physical and webinar-based training programs aimed at helping individuals build the digital skills they need for success in the modern workforce. These programs were designed for both professionals looking to upskill and organizations seeking to develop their teams’ competencies. His combined use of online platforms and physical workshops provided a holistic approach to education, fostering a strong digital learning culture across Africa. This later became a springboard for co-founding DoviLearn.

Why He Was Selected:

Vincent Okeke’s dual impact—first in higher education with Unicaf and now in professional development with DoviLearn—has made him a key player in EdTech. His unique blend of experience in both education and entrepreneurship, along with his ability to create scalable, relevant learning solutions, places him among the most influential Nigerians in EdTech.

Folawe Omikunle – CEO, Teach for Nigeria

Why Her Work is Unique:

Folawe Omikunle is the CEO of Teach for Nigeria, an initiative that tackles educational inequality by placing talented individuals in classrooms in underserved communities. What distinguishes Omikunle’s work is her focus on long-term systemic change rather than short-term fixes. Through teacher training, leadership development, and community engagement, Teach for Nigeria is nurturing a new generation of educators who will lead and transform the education sector.

Contribution to the EdTech Space:

Teach for Nigeria goes beyond simply providing teachers for underserved schools; it is focused on creating lasting social impact by building leaders who will drive change within their communities and the education system as a whole. Omikunle’s leadership in developing programs that empower teachers, train them in modern teaching methods, and engage them in policy advocacy has helped improve educational outcomes in underserved regions. Her efforts have proven that sustainable change in education requires investment in both teachers and the broader ecosystem they work within.

Why She Was Selected:

Folawe Omikunle is selected for her dedication to addressing systemic educational inequality in Nigeria. Her leadership in Teach for Nigeria has resulted in measurable impacts on local communities, ensuring that students in even the most disadvantaged areas have access to quality education. Her innovative approach to teacher development and leadership in education makes her a key figure in the African EdTech movement.

Oluwaseun Osewa – Founder, Edusko

Why His Work is Unique:

Oluwaseun Osewa’s Edusko stands out for its unique integration of personalized learning with interactive tools for K-12 students. The platform combines educational content, video lessons, and exam preparation tools, offering a holistic approach to learning. Edusko’s personalized learning pathways and focus on bridging the educational divide make it an innovative solution for students who need more than traditional classroom instruction.

Contribution to the EdTech Space:

Edusko is transforming the way students learn by offering a comprehensive learning environment that caters to various learning styles. Through its video lessons, quizzes, and real-time feedback features, Edusko ensures that students can learn at their own pace and receive tailored instruction. The platform has proven particularly beneficial for students who may not have access to physical tutors or traditional learning resources, allowing them to progress academically despite geographical and economic barriers.

Why He Was Selected:

Osewa’s Edusko has demonstrated how digital platforms can empower both students and educators by offering a flexible, personalized approach to learning. His platform addresses Africa’s educational challenges, particularly in under-resourced areas, and provides a model for what effective, interactive EdTech solutions can look like. His work is transforming the future of K-12 education in Africa.

Temitope Omoniyi – Co-Founder, Skillup Africa

Why His Work is Unique:

Temitope Omoniyi’s Skillup Africa is a platform dedicated to providing African professionals with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age. Skillup Africa focuses on high-demand fields such as data science, software development, and digital marketing, offering practical courses and certification programs designed to meet the needs of the global workforce. Omoniyi’s focus on helping individuals develop the skills required by the tech-driven job market makes Skillup Africa a key player in upskilling Africa’s workforce.

Contribution to the EdTech Space:

Skillup Africa is directly addressing Africa’s skills gap by providing practical, industry-aligned training for professionals. Through partnerships with leading tech companies and organizations, the platform equips learners with the necessary certifications and hands-on experience to secure competitive jobs both locally and globally. Skillup Africa’s focus on tech-driven careers ensures that African professionals are well-prepared for the future of work in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Why He Was Selected:

Temitope Omoniyi’s Skillup Africa is helping to create a pipeline of digitally skilled professionals ready to take on roles in the global job market. His dedication to closing the skills gap in Africa and creating opportunities for professional growth through industry-focused training makes him a valuable figure in the EdTech space. Skillup Africa’s ability to equip professionals with skills for the future economy sets it apart in the rapidly growing African EdTech ecosystem.

Conclusion

These five leaders are at the forefront of reshaping the African educational landscape through innovative digital platforms, strategic leadership, and commitment to addressing both local and global learning needs. Their contributions to the EdTech space are invaluable, and their work continues to inspire the next generation of learners, educators, and entrepreneurs across Africa.