By Felix Khanoba
Sim Shagaya, the founder of Miva Open University, on Wednesday marked his 50th birthday in grand style in Abuja, drawing dignitaries and key figures from various sectors in Nigeria.
The milestone celebration featured a colloquium themed “Honouring a Legacy of Leadership, Innovation, and Impact.”
Speaking at the event, the renowned Nigerian tech entrepreneur reiterated his commitment to transforming education in the country through technology.
“I would not be thinking about education and ULesson and Miva the way I’m thinking about it right now. There is a real opportunity for impact with this platform. And I think that that’s manifest even in the fact that we’re doing this right now in this way.
“I don’t think a purely commercial capitalistic venture would have afforded me the honour that you all are so generously giving me today. Not in this way. I think it’s maybe because it’s evident that my colleagues and myself are doing this not just for return on investment,” said Shagaya, who is also the founder of ULesson and Konga.
According to him, since its establishment in 2023 and licensing by the National Universities Commission (NUC), Miva Open University has experienced significant growth.
Shagaya revealed that the institution is set to reach a student population of 10,000 by May and aims to enroll 100,000 students by 2027.
“We started out with 500 students in the first semester. And by this time last year, I believe we were sitting at maybe 2,000 or 3,000. So 500 to 2,000 to 8,000, and we will likely cross to 10,000 at the end of May. Our plans are to hit 18,000 to 20,000 by the end of this year, and 45,000 next year.
“And God willing, cross 100,000 sometime in 2027. And who knows where we go from there? One of our investors, the U.S. investor, … her partner told me, you know, you have the opportunity to build the first one-million-person university on the continent, if not in the world,” he said.
On his part, Sterling Bank Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar Suleiman, who delivered the keynote address, praised Shagaya’s vision and the impact of technology in education.
Suleiman emphasized the severe infrastructure challenges in the education sector, emphasizing that Miva Open University is making education more accessible and affordable for millions of Nigerians who would otherwise lack opportunities.
“The first thing that you’ve done and the first thing that I think as a country we need to come together and make sure that it becomes the foundation for expanding education is that ability to offer education leveraging technology. Those of you close to Miva, some of the great work they are doing with artificial intelligence is even going to make that a lot more effective,” he said.
Suleiman urged the Federal Government to extend the student loan scheme managed by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to private institutions like Miva Open University.
“We are at the point where the amount of money that NELFUND commits to education is now sufficient for you to afford a private education in Miva. What I hope for, what I hope would be the true birthday gift for Sim and for us at Miva, is for the government to extend the educational loan scheme to private universities like Miva University,” Suleiman, who also serves on the university’s board, stated..
Also speaking, Vice-Chancellor of Miva Open University, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, lauded Shagaya’s dedication and impact on education, describing him as a selfless leader.
“Miva University is striving hard to ensure our graduates have the necessary skill set. One of our pillars is for them to get a degree that will make them relevant and employable,” Arulogun said.
The event, which attracted numerous dignitaries, also featured a panel discussion on “Innovating for Impact and Building the Future through Education and Enterprise.”
Notable attendees included former Minister of Communication, Omobolaji Johnson; House of Representatives member, Hon. Muktar Shagaya; Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Entrepreneurship Development, Chalya Shagaya; wife of the Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, Salamatu Gbajabiamila; former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo; and former Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki.
The list also includes Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, who announced a scholarship programme for 50 girls from educationally disadvantaged states to study at Miva Open University.
