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Miva Open University from The uLesson Group in Nigeria has today been named in the Top 30 shortlist for the inaugural Global EdTech Prize in the Start-Ups category. Founded this year by T4 Education, with the support of Owl Ventures, Digital Promise, Rethink Education, XEdu, Injini, Founders Forum, EdLatam, and IAAE, the Global EdTech Prize recognises those trailblazing solutions that are driving change and grappling with the most crucial challenges in today’s classrooms.
Judged by educators themselves, the prize provides a vital platform to help companies and organisations scale their products, tools, or services and their impact worldwide.
It celebrates EdTech companies that are making a real difference to the next generation and champions innovative tech solutions that actually work for the people who matter most—educators, their students, and their communities.
The prize will be awarded in three categories: Non-Profits, Start-Ups, and Majors, with winners announced live at the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 16, 2025.
Vikas Pota, founder of T4 Education and the Global EdTech Prize, said, “Congratulations to Miva Open University from The uLesson Group on being shortlisted for the inaugural Global EdTech Prize. Your vital work in this field proves my belief that innovation in education lifts all of humanity.
“All of our shortlisted tools have one thing in common. They have harnessed technology in the service of education, and they are making a difference. From enhancing literacy development to building lifelong skills, supporting social mobility, and closing learning gaps, the Global EdTech Prize measures not only innovation but impact. By giving a global platform to these tools, we help scale that impact at a time when it has never been more needed.”
Group Chief Executive Officer of The uLesson Group and Chancellor of Miva Open University, Sim Shagaya, said, “My vision for uLesson is that we become the largest platform in Africa that has brought together the best media, education, and technology tools to transform education outcomes in Africa.
“Years from now, I want to hear uLesson users talk about how we fundamentally shifted their attitudes to learning and inspired them to follow pursuits that they would have otherwise not done because we opened their eyes to new possibilities.”
About Miva, he said, “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.”
About Miva Open University by The uLesson Group
Miva Open University is a digital-first, online university addressing Nigeria’s critical higher education gaps. Its mission is to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality learning opportunities to students across the country, especially those excluded due to cost or capacity constraints in traditional universities.
Miva offers a growing range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including MBA, MIT, MPH, and MPA, all aligned with local and international standards. Programmes are tailored to deliver practical, job-ready skills in high-demand fields such as business, governance, health, and technology.
The university provides flexibility to learners balancing work, family, and study by removing the need to relocate or adjust daily routines. Students can study from anywhere, supported by dedicated study centres offering fast internet, group study options, and administrative help.
Miva combines cutting-edge technology—including AI, VR, and AR—to enhance engagement and comprehension. For example, MIND (Miva Interactive Neural Dialogue) uses AI to give real-time feedback and support. VR simulates clinical settings for nursing students, and AR overlays digital content onto real environments, simplifying complex ideas.
Next steps
The Global EdTech Prize is awarded annually in three categories: Non-Profits, Start-Ups, and Majors, recognising outstanding EdTech products, tools, or services based on rigorous criteria.
The Top 10 finalists for each of the three categories will be announced on July 31, with finalists invited to the World Schools Summit, where they will showcase their work before an expert panel comprising leading figures in the technology and education sectors, including investors and policymakers from around the world.
The expert panel will narrow down the final 3 per category who will present their products and tools before educators at the World Schools Summit. Educators will vote by secret ballot to determine the winner of each category, and they will be announced live on stage at the culmination of the summit.
About T4 Education
T4 Education believes every child, everywhere, deserves a good education. They are building the world’s largest community of teachers and schools to achieve this. Together. T4 Education’s digital media platform offers educators opportunities to network, collaborate, share best practices, and support one another’s efforts to enhance learning and school culture. T4 Education works to amplify teachers’ voices because the world we want to see will only be built by listening to those at the heart of education.
For more information, please contact Salman Shaheen: salman@t4.education / Oluwadara Adetula: oluwadara.adetula@ulesson.com.
