The uLesson Group has announced the appointment of Iheanyi Akwitti as CEO-Designate, as founder and Group CEO Sim Shagaya prepares to transition to the role of Executive Chairman.
According to the company, Akwitti’s appointment will take effect from 1 June 2026, while he will formally assume the position of Chief Executive Officer on 1 January 2027. The decision was approved unanimously by the Group’s Board as part of a succession process aimed at ensuring continuity in leadership and supporting the organisation’s next stage of growth.
Shagaya will remain Group CEO during the transition period and will work closely with Akwitti on operational, governance, investor and stakeholder matters. After assuming the position of Executive Chairman, he will continue to support the Group’s long-term strategy, institutional partnerships and vision for education across Africa.
The leadership change marks another stage in the company’s development from a K-12 learning platform into a broader education group with operations across different levels of learning. The Group currently includes the uLesson learning platform and Miva Open University, described by the company as Nigeria’s first operational private open university.
Akwitti joined the Group in 2022 as Senior Vice President, Academics and Curriculum. Since then, he has played a role in the company’s expansion into higher education and institutional learning.
As Group Chief Academic Officer and Registrar, he has overseen academic, accreditation and regulatory initiatives across the Group. His responsibilities included leading the process for Miva Open University to secure its licence from the National Universities Commission and supporting the launch of the institution.
The company also said Akwitti helped build partnerships involving government institutions, education stakeholders and enterprise organisations connected to the Group’s activities.
Speaking on the appointment, Shagaya 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 said the appointment represents an opportunity to continue the company’s work in expanding access to education on the continent.
“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,” he said.
Before joining the Group, Akwitti held senior positions within the education sector, including serving as Principal of Supreme Education Foundation Schools.
Under Shagaya’s leadership, the company expanded its services beyond digital K-12 learning into university education and institutional partnerships. The transition, according to the company, is intended to strengthen the organisation’s structure while preparing it for future expansion across Africa.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
