uLesson Group has announced a planned leadership transition that will see Iheanyi Akwitti become the company’s next Chief Executive Officer. Akwitti, who currently serves as Group Chief Academic Officer and Registrar, will become CEO-Designate on 1 June 2026 before formally assuming the Chief Executive Officer role on 1 January 2027. The company also confirmed that founder and current Group CEO Sim Shagaya will move into the position of Executive Chairman as part of the succession process.
Leadership Transition
The appointment follows a board-approved succession plan aimed at ensuring continuity while preparing the education group for its next stage of growth. During the transition period, Shagaya will continue as Group CEO and work closely with Akwitti across operations, governance, investor relations, partnerships, and external stakeholder engagement. Once the handover is complete, Shagaya is expected to focus on long-term strategy, institutional partnerships, and the wider vision of expanding access to education across Africa.
Akwitti’s Role and Experience
Akwitti joined uLesson Group in 2022 as Senior Vice President of Academics and Curriculum and has since become central to the organisation’s academic and institutional development. In his current role, he has overseen academic systems, regulatory processes, accreditation work, and institutional initiatives, including efforts connected to Miva Open University’s licensing and launch. The company said his appointment reflects its commitment to strengthening academic structures, expanding access to quality education, and deepening its impact across the continent.
Education Sector Background
Before joining uLesson Group, Akwitti held senior roles across the education sector and built experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, school administration, accreditation, regulatory engagement, and education technology. His background includes serving as Principal of Supreme Education Foundation Schools, adding to a career focused on both institutional management and learning outcomes. This experience is expected to support uLesson Group as it continues to operate across multiple education levels and navigate regulatory and institutional priorities.
Shagaya’s Next Chapter
Shagaya’s move to Executive Chairman marks a shift in his responsibilities rather than a full departure from the group’s strategic direction. As founder, he has led uLesson’s growth from a K-12 digital learning platform into a broader education company with products and institutions serving learners at different stages of their academic journey. His new role will allow him to remain involved in the company’s long-term direction while creating space for Akwitti to lead day-to-day executive management.
uLesson’s Broader Growth
uLesson Group has grown beyond its original app-based learning model into a wider education platform serving primary, secondary, and higher education needs. Its portfolio includes uLesson, the K-12 learning platform, and Miva Open University, which the company describes as Nigeria’s first operational private open university. That expansion gives the leadership transition added significance, as the group now manages both consumer-facing digital learning products and institution-building efforts in higher education.
The leadership transition signals uLesson Group’s effort to balance continuity with renewed executive focus as it expands its role in African education. With Akwitti preparing to take over as Chief Executive Officer and Shagaya moving into the Executive Chairman position, the company is positioning its next chapter around stronger institutions, academic depth, and wider learner access. The announcement also underlines the growing importance of structured leadership succession among technology-enabled education companies operating across the continent.