uLesson

uLesson is a Nigerian-based educational technology company established in 2019 by seasoned entrepreneur Sim Shagaya. Shagaya, who previously founded e-commerce giant Konga.com and media company E-Motion Advertising, leveraged his extensive background in technology and business to address the educational gaps in Africa. His journey includes a degree from George Washington University, a Master's in Engineering from Dartmouth College, and an MBA from Harvard Business School, as well as early career roles at Rand Merchant Bank and as Google's head for Africa. This diverse experience shaped his vision for uLesson: to provide high-quality, affordable, and accessible education across the continent.

The company operates in the K-12 education market, serving primary and secondary school students in several African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Gambia. uLesson's business model is centered on a subscription-based mobile application. It provides a comprehensive library of pre-recorded, curriculum-relevant video lessons, quizzes, and tests. To tackle connectivity issues prevalent in many regions, the company initially offered content on SD cards and has since evolved to include options like the uLesson Education Tab, which bundles a device with a subscription. Revenue is generated through monthly, annual, or lifetime subscription fees that unlock the full content library.

The core service is a digital learning platform available on Android, iOS, and the web, featuring over 5,000 animated video lessons and 30,000 quizzes. The platform is designed to make learning engaging and personalized, allowing students to study at their own pace. Subjects covered include mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, English, and social sciences, tailored to national and international curricula like WAEC and IGCSE. A key selling point is its focus on high-quality, culturally specific content delivered through engaging animation and expert tutors, aiming to transform education from a chore into an enjoyable experience. Recently, the uLesson Group expanded its scope by launching Miva Open University, a fully accredited online university, to address the high demand for tertiary education in Nigeria.

Keywords: EdTech, K-12 education, mobile learning, subscription model, African markets, curriculum-aligned content, online tutoring, personalized learning, digital education platform, higher education