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On Wednesday, 2nd April 2025, The uLesson Group had the honour of celebrating the 50th birthday of Sim Shagaya, The uLesson Group CEO and Chancellor of Miva Open University, by hosting a colloquium. The event, held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, brought together friends, associates, and dignitaries to recognise his outstanding contributions to education and technology in Nigeria.
The colloquium, themed ‘Legacy of Leadership: Innovating for Impact and Building the Future through Education and Enterprise’, featured a keynote address by Abubakar Suleiman, CEO of Sterling Bank. Mr Suleiman commended Mr Shagaya’s visionary leadership and dedication to transforming education in Nigeria.
In his keynote speech, Abubakar Suleiman highlighted the significance of Miva Open University, describing it as one of the fundamental steps being taken to transform the country. He praised Mr Shagaya for being ahead of his time and noted that everyone present was there because he had made a difficult choice at a time when easier options were available.
Mr Suleiman shared that he agreed to join the board of Miva Open University because he had come to deeply admire Sim’s brilliance and innovative approach, particularly in addressing some of the country’s pressing challenges.
“At some point, I may make reference to my thoughts around education and why Miva Open University, the last project that Sim did or is doing, is one of the most fundamental things that we’ve ever done in this country. Today, I look at Sim, and I think of three different aspects of his life. At some point, he acted like a poet. He is someone full of creativity.
“His ideas were crazy. They were not easy for people to reconcile with. Something that kept coming up when you looked at Sim’s life online was that it was like he was ahead of his time. If he waited five years, he would have had his own one-billion-dollar company. That’s the thinking of a poet, somebody who doesn’t operate under existing limitations.”
Sim Shagaya’s Vision for the Future
During his address, Mr Shagaya reaffirmed his commitment to societal transformation through education. He stated:
“We’re not just building a university; we’re building a civilisation. The ultimate goal is the ascendancy of Nigeria, and Miva is just a vehicle to achieve that.”
He highlighted the rapid growth of Miva Open University, noting that student enrolment had grown from 500 in its first semester in 2023 to over 8,000 students today. Projections indicate that this number could reach 18,000 by the end of 2025.
His vision reflects Miva Open University’s mission to provide accessible and high-quality education that empowers individuals and drives national development.
Expanding Access to Education
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of scholarships for 100 underserved students across Nigeria:
- 50 scholarships from Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, founder/CEO of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation and board member of the Union for International Cancer Control, to girls from disadvantaged states.
- 50 scholarships by The Miva Foundation, with the first 10 to go to Chess in the Slums.
This initiative aligns with Miva Open University’s commitment to making education accessible to students from all backgrounds.
Additionally, Mr Suleiman advocated for extending the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to students in private universities. He emphasised that this would increase access to higher education and address existing infrastructure challenges in the sector.
Sim Shagaya at 50: A Legacy of Impact
Chayla Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant for Entrepreneurship Development to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sister to Mr Shagaya, said, “Today, Sim is widely known as one of Nigeria’s most influential tech entrepreneurs. He founded Konga, which redefined online shopping in Nigeria. He built uLesson, an edtech platform that brought classrooms into homes across Africa.
“This administration deeply appreciates entrepreneurs like Sim, who continue to work tirelessly to drive economic development and contribute meaningfully to our great nation. We are equally committed to advocating for implementing entrepreneur-friendly policies that create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise, and inclusive growth.
“As we reflect on leadership and innovation today, remember, the greatest success isn’t in what you build for yourself but in what you create for others.”
The Vice-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, expressed gratitude for Sim Shagaya’s vision and dedication. He acknowledged the Chancellor’s efforts in establishing and expanding Miva Open University, which has become a leading force in the education sector.
He said, “Miva Open University is striving hard to ensure our graduates have the necessary skill set. One of our pillars is for them to get a degree that will make them relevant and employable. Aside from seeking paid employment, we also want many of them to become entrepreneurs.
“We have introduced them into many of our courses. And you must pass that course as well as the one on artificial intelligence. So we are not just an online university but an important higher school of learning.”
Panel Discussion
The colloquium featured a panel discussion on the theme “Honouring a Legacy of Leadership, Innovation, and Impact” and brought together thought leaders and experts to share key insights.
Prof. Tayo, Vice Chancellor of Miva Open University, offered valuable insights into scalable and flexible learning models designed to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. Adding to the conversation, Harold Olamilokun of the Olamilokun Foundation spoke on the role of philanthropy in bridging educational gaps and expanding access to underserved communities through innovative, non-traditional pathways.
From a financial perspective, Olaide, fractional CFO at The uLesson Group, examined how educational enterprises can adopt sustainable business models that balance social impact with accessibility while challenging conventional definitions of return on investment. Similarly, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Partner at Future Africa, explored the intersection of education and enterprise, highlighting both emerging opportunities and the critical barriers—such as policy, infrastructure, and access—that must be addressed to unlock progress.
Bringing in a creative viewpoint, MI Abaga, the renowned music artist, discussed how arts and entertainment can be meaningfully integrated into educational systems to prepare young people for careers in emerging fields.
Together, the panellists offered a rich and forward-looking dialogue on the need for policy reform, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration to build a more inclusive and future-ready education ecosystem across Africa.
Goodwill Messages
During this segment of the colloquium, respected figures, friends, and partners of Sim Shagaya, including Bishop Mathew Kukah, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese, Sokoto; Emily Bennett, Principal, Owl Ventures; Omobola Johnson, senior partner, TLCOM and former Minister of Communication Technology; Eric Lee, friend and business partner; Hussaina Shagaya-Osifade, Mr Shagaya’s sister; and many others, shared goodwill messages, expressing their support and encouragement for his endeavours.
Other notable attendees and well-wishers included member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Muktar Shagaya; wife of the Chief of Staff to the President, Salamatu Gbajabiamila; former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education and POTP at Miva, David Adejo; Uyi Akpata, immediate past Country Senior Partner, PwC and POTP at Miva; and former Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki.
As we celebrate this important milestone, Miva Open University remains committed to revolutionising education in Nigeria. Inspired by our Chancellor’s leadership, we look forward to continued growth and impact in the years to come!
