Abuja, Nigeria, 18 May 2026: The uLesson Group has announced that Iheanyi Akwitti, Group Chief Academic Officer and Registrar, will become CEO-Designate of the uLesson Group effective 1 June 2026 and will formally assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on 1 January 2027. Sim Shagaya, Founder and Group CEO, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman.
The transition, which was approved unanimously by the Board, follows a deliberate succession planning process designed to support continuity, strengthen leadership, and position the Group for its next phase of growth.
Shagaya will continue as Group CEO through the transition period, working closely with Akwitti across operational, board, governance, investor, partner, and external stakeholder matters. As Executive Chairman, Shagaya will continue to support the Group’s long-term strategy, institutional partnerships, and broader vision for education in Africa.
Since joining uLesson Group in 2022 as Senior Vice President, Academics and Curriculum, Akwitti has played a central role in the Group’s expansion from K-12 learning into higher education. As Group Chief Academic Officer and Registrar, he has led key academic, regulatory, accreditation, and institutional initiatives across the Group, including the pursuit of Miva Open University’s licence from the National Universities Commission and the launch of the institution.
Akwitti has also helped build important partnerships across government, policy, education, and enterprise, supporting the Group’s work with major public sector and institutional partners.
His appointment reflects the Group’s continued focus on building strong academic systems, expanding access to quality education, and deepening its impact across the continent.
Speaking on the appointment, Sim Shagaya, Founder and Group CEO of uLesson Group, said: “Iheanyi has been at the centre of some of the most consequential work we have done as a Group. He has helped build the academic and institutional foundations that will carry us into our next phase. His clarity, discipline, and deep understanding of education make him the right leader for this next chapter. I am confident that under his leadership, the uLesson Group will continue to expand its impact and build even stronger institutions for African learners.”
Akwitti brings extensive experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, institutional accreditation, school administration, regulatory engagement, and education technology. Before joining uLesson Group, he held senior leadership roles in the education sector, including serving as Principal of Supreme Education Foundation Schools.
Commenting on his appointment, Iheanyi Akwitti said: “It is a great honour to be entrusted with this responsibility. The uLesson Group has always been driven by a clear belief: that African learners deserve access to excellent education built for their reality and their future. I am grateful to Sim for his trust and leadership, and I look forward to working with our teams to build on the strong foundation already laid.”
Under Shagaya’s leadership, uLesson Group has grown from a K-12 learning platform into a broader education group with products and institutions serving learners across different stages of their academic journey. This includes uLesson, its K-12 learning platform, and Miva Open University, Nigeria’s first operational private open university.
The leadership transition is designed to support continuity, deepen institutional strength, and position the Group for its next stage of growth.
About uLesson Group
The uLesson Group is an education company building technology-enabled learning solutions for African learners. The Group is home to uLesson, a K-12 learning platform, and Miva Open University, a licensed open university committed to expanding access to quality higher education.