In the evolving landscape of African entrepreneurship, few names capture the intersection of resilience, intellect, and innovation like Sim Shagaya. He has built, failed, and built again, each time stronger, sharper, and more attuned to the pulse of Nigeria’s dynamic economy.

Today, as founder of ULesson Group and Miva Open University, Shagaya stands at the forefront of a new era in digital education, proving that adversity can be a foundation for greatness. His story is not one of quick wins but of consistent reinvention, rooted in an unwavering belief that Nigeria can and will rise.

Sitting in a quiet studio in Abuja, dressed in his usual understated style, Shagaya speaks with the measured calm of someone who has weathered storms and learned to see the light beyond them. “I grew up in a military family,” he says thoughtfully. “The idea of giving up was never an option. I went to the Nigerian Military School in Zaria. That place shapes you. It teaches endurance, focus, and discipline. I think that’s where my resilience started.”

That resilience, honed in his teenage years, has since become the trademark of his professional life. When he launched Konga.com in the early 2010s, the idea of large-scale e-commerce in Nigeria was still a novelty. The internet was slow, infrastructure was unreliable, and trust in online transactions was nearly nonexistent. Yet, Shagaya pushed forward. Konga grew rapidly, becoming one of Nigeria’s best-known startups. But in 2015, the devaluation of the naira and macroeconomic instability shook the foundations of many businesses, and Konga was not spared.

“It was painful,” he admits. “But the experience taught me recovery. It taught me what not to do and how to rebuild.” After Konga, he took a step back from public view. For many entrepreneurs, such a loss could have signaled the end of ambition. But for Shagaya, it was the beginning of something new. He returned to the tech space with ULesson, an educational technology company built to make quality learning accessible to every African child.

Then came 2020, and the world changed. COVID-19 struck, shutting down schools globally. For most education systems, it was a catastrophe. For Shagaya, it was a call to action. “COVID was a tailwind for us,” he recalls. “While schools were closing, demand for online learning exploded. We had to adapt quickly, even turning rented houses into makeshift studios to keep producing content.”

The result was an EdTech revolution. ULesson became a household name, reaching thousands of learners across Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. Its video-based curriculum, delivered via smartphone, transformed how African students studied science, mathematics, and technology.

But Shagaya wasn’t done. In 2023, while many Nigerian businesses were still struggling with the ripple effects of subsidy removal and currency reforms, he launched Miva Open University, Nigeria’s first fully licensed digital-first university. “When we received the license from the National Universities Commission, it changed everything,” he says. “It gave us stability and growth during a difficult economic period.”

Within a year, Miva grew to almost 20,000 students, making it one of the fastest-growing tertiary institutions in Nigeria’s history. Yet, Shagaya is not easily impressed by numbers. “In China, open universities have millions of students. India’s Indira Gandhi Open University has about three million. We’re still just getting started.”

Miva’s approach to higher education is deliberately different. Fully digital, it allows students to study anywhere, anytime, without the physical limitations of campus learning. Each learner is assigned a “success advisor,” a blend of mentor, tutor, and coach, who ensures students remain motivated and connected.

For Shagaya, education is the greatest equalizer. “Technology can democratize access to knowledge,” he says. “That’s what excites me about Miva. It gives opportunity to anyone with a smartphone and internet access.”

This commitment to accessibility is also matched by a renewed sense of fiscal discipline. Gone are the days of growth at all costs, a phrase that once defined Africa’s startup boom. “Today, we prioritize profitability,” he says. “Every month, my senior team and I audit expenses together. It’s part of our culture now. We call it our monthly weeding exercise.”

This hands-on management style has helped ULesson Group maintain stable costs even as revenues grow, a rare feat in the volatile Nigerian economy. “It’s about being lean, efficient, and transparent,” he adds. “That’s how we stay alive.”

Despite his remarkable achievements, Shagaya insists he is not yet at his peak. “I’ve been CEO for seven and a half years now,” he says, smiling. “This is the longest I’ve ever stayed in one role. Naturally, I’m asking myself, what’s next?”

That question is not born of restlessness but of vision. ULesson and Miva have already proven their strength in Nigeria. Now, Shagaya is eyeing expansion. “We experimented with Ghana, but never fully committed,” he explains. “Now, with Miva’s success, we’re ready. We’ve adopted a Nigeria plus one strategy. Before the end of this year, we’ll launch in another African country.”

For Shagaya, regional growth is not just about business. It’s about impact. “We’re building an ecosystem for African minds,” he says. “Our dream is to see a young person in Nairobi or Kampala studying on Miva, getting a degree, and contributing to their country’s development.”

Through the highs and lows of his career, one thing has remained constant: his belief in Nigeria. While others relocate or redirect their investments abroad, Shagaya stays rooted. “I believe Nigeria will rise in my lifetime, culturally, militarily, and economically. I want to be part of that story,” he says firmly.

His realism, however, keeps him grounded. “Teams can always tell when a leader is sugarcoating the truth,” he says. “Before the last elections, I studied the candidates’ policies and knew tough times were coming. We made decisions early to prepare for that. Being realistic doesn’t kill optimism; it makes it stronger.”

From the ashes of failed ventures to the heights of digital education success, Sim Shagaya’s story is not just about entrepreneurship. It is about faith, courage, and purpose. He is part of a new generation of African innovators redefining what it means to build at home.

When asked what keeps him going, his answer is simple. “The belief that the best days for Africa are still ahead. And I want to help make that happen.”

In a continent often defined by challenges, Shagaya stands as proof that with vision, persistence, and adaptability, triumph is always possible, even against the toughest odds.