Nigerian edtech giant, uLesson, renowned for its impressive track record in K-12 online education across Africa, announced today that it has been granted an Open Distance eLearning License for Miva Open University. This strategic move comes after four years of immense success in the K-12 space, fostering an ecosystem of online learning that has resonated with millions across the continent.
The Founder of uLesson, Sim Shagaya, made the announcement via his Twitter handle, @SimShagaya. This is a significant milestone for the firm as it seeks to broaden its educational reach beyond K-12. The license, awarded by the Federal Executive Council following a recommendation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), allows Miva to leverage the invaluable experience gained from the K-12 program into the tertiary sector.
Shagaya, the visionary behind uLesson since its inception in 2019, expressed his optimism and gratitude to the NUC for their rigorous process and willingness to collaborate. He stated, “Miva Open University will push the boundaries of accessibility, affordability, efficacy, convenience, and innovation. We will begin by offering degrees in key areas such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Public Policy & Administration, Data Science and Cybersecurity, and will rapidly expand into other degree fields, including nursing and law.”
As opposed to the K-12 model that supplements regular school lessons with locally relevant content, Miva Open University will offer fully licensed degrees. The move underscores uLesson’s commitment to a holistic education model that addresses the acute need for effective and affordable tertiary education.
The announcement comes at a time when the Nigerian tertiary education sector has been grappling with challenges, including outdated curriculums, low teacher-to-student ratio, and infrastructural deficits. This reality has forced students, especially those keen on tech-related fields, to seek education from alternative sources, primarily online platforms.
uLesson, widely regarded as the most capitalised edtech startup in Nigeria, boasts over two million app downloads and has earned the trust of parents, teachers, and students alike. Shagaya is now looking to leverage these achievements to revolutionise tertiary education in the region.
With the demand for tech skills such as data science, software engineering, and cybersecurity on the rise, Miva Open University seeks to bridge this gap by equipping young Africans with the necessary training and certification. Shagaya elaborated, “Our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality education that helps our students succeed in the digital marketplace.”
As they embark on this ambitious journey, uLesson will face competition from other Nigerian edtech initiatives like AltSchool Africa, which offers diplomas in computing courses following a year-long study. Despite the competition, Miva’s unique selling proposition of licensed degree programs could set it apart in the burgeoning edtech market in Africa.
As the digital landscape transforms education in Africa, uLesson’s move to enter the tertiary education sector signals a paradigm shift. It will be interesting to watch how this expansion plays out and how it contributes to the broader digital education ecosystem in Africa.
