The licenses position the company as an accredited service provider for businesses operating in Nigeria ahead of the mandatory July 1, 2026, e-invoicing deadline for medium taxpayers.

This dual-accreditation allows Duplo to provide a unique end-to-end Compliance-to-Commerce pipeline.

While most providers only offer invoice generation, Duplo’s unified platform allows businesses to generate NRS-standard e-invoices, route them automatically to the tax authorities, and settle those payments instantly within the same ecosystem.

The Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) estimates over ₦500 billion annually is lost to tax leakage, much of it linked to manual invoicing, under-reporting and poor documentation of transactions.

Nigeria’s new Electronic Fiscal System (EFS) initiative is being introduced specifically to digitise invoice generation and reporting at the point of transaction.

By integrating compliance directly into the payment rail, Duplo is redefining the standard for enterprise financial operations, helping businesses transition from manual, high-risk processes to an automated, digital-first model.

As the NRS transitions to a real-time pre-clearance model, businesses with turnovers above ₦1 billion face strict enforcement.

Non-compliance carries administrative fines of ₦200,000 plus 100% tax surcharges on unreported transactions.

Unlike fragmented solutions that force businesses to toggle between multiple apps for invoicing and banking, Duplo’s new licenses enable a seamless, automated workflow:

Automatic Routing: Businesses can plug existing ERPs (SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics) into Duplo to automatically generate and transmit invoices to the NRS in the required UBL/XML formats.

Integrated Settlement: Once an invoice is validated by the NRS, it can be settled and reconciled immediately on the Duplo platform. This eliminates the manual “reconciliation lag” that accounts for the majority of financial discrepancies in Nigerian firms.

Companies like Maersk, Krones, DP World, Baobab, Miva Open University, Eat N’Go, IMG, SMT and more already trust Duplo to automate their payment workflows and maintain full visibility over their financial operations.

Commenting on the licenses, Yele Oyekola, CEO and co-founder of Duplo, said,

“Africa’s next growth phase requires robust financial systems, not temporary patches. By securing both the Systems Integrator and Access Point Provider licenses in Nigeria, we are providing the single operational layer that finally connects payments, invoicing and tax logic. This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about closing the loop. Our dual-license status allows businesses to bridge their existing ERPs directly to the national e-invoicing architecture, ensuring that every transaction is validated by the NRS and settled on our platform in one seamless motion. You don’t scale payment operations by adding headcount – you scale by automating decisions and standardizing the infrastructure of your business.”

The post Duplo Taps Dual CBN Licenses to Automate Tax Compliance and Curb ₦500bn Revenue Loss appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

But 2026 is shaping up to be the year the country confronts even bigger challenges such as access to education.

The challenges in Nigeria’s education sector are both structural and systemic, while policymakers debate reforms, technology is becoming a more practical tool to expand access, reduce expenses, and improve quality at scale.

To unpack what measurable tech-driven reform could look like, Ethan Ebenezer spoke with Lydia Nwobodo, product manager at Miva Open University, an open and distance learning institution under the uLesson Group.

Nwobodo has been at the centre of building large-scale digital assessment systems at the University.

In December 2025, she helped oversee an examination cycle that supported more than 17,000 students sitting over 400 examinations nationwide, an operation conducted entirely through digital infrastructure.

During the conversation, she broke down the structural gaps holding Nigeria’s education system back, why Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is the most transformative reform on the table, and the key metrics she believes must define whether tech-driven education reforms are truly working.

In her response, she addressed structural gaps in the system, the overlooked potentials of Open and Distance Learning, education inclusion beyond major urban centres, the role of public-private partnerships, and the specific metrics she believes must define whether the tech-driven education reforms in Nigeria are truly working.

TE: From your perspective, what are the biggest structural gaps in Nigeria’s education system today, and how can technology meaningfully address them?

Lydia Nwobodo (LN): Nigeria’s education crisis runs deeper than most people acknowledge. It’s not just about the access, it’s about the quality at scale, the broken transition pathways, and a widening gap between credentials and actual skills.

First, there’s the teacher shortage, which is real and severe. In many public schools, one qualified teacher is managing a minimum of 60 or more students.

Technology can’t replace that teacher, but it can extend them through structured digital curricula, AI-assisted lesson delivery, and tools that reduce how much individual teacher quality determines student outcomes.

Then there’s the transition problem. Millions of Nigerians complete secondary school but can’t access or afford university. Not because they’re unqualified, but because the system wasn’t built for them.

Open and distance learning directly addresses this by decoupling education from physical presence and rigid schedules. At Miva, we have students who are holding down full/part time jobs, running businesses, learning a vocation and still managing their school work well.

And finally, there’s the assessment infrastructure gap which is the one I know more intimately. Most Nigerian institutions still rely on paper-based exams, manual marking, and result processing that takes months.

That is just inefficient! It’s a major bottleneck that slows down the entire learning cycle. When students don’t get timely feedback, they can’t course-correct. When results take months to prepare, school operations slow down.

TE: In your view, which tech-related education reform or emerging trend holds the most potential to revolutionise access and quality in Nigeria’s education sector by 2026?

LN: Open and Distance Learning, full stop.

ODL removes the two biggest barriers simultaneously: geography and cost. A student in Kano, Benue, or Ondo can access the same curriculum as someone in Lagos without relocating, without paying for accommodation, and without putting their life on hold. That’s not a small thing. That’s transformative.

At Miva, we’re not theorising about this. We’re championing this change. In December 2025, we supported over 17,000 students sitting more than 400 exams, undergraduate and postgraduate, entirely through our digital exam portal.

Students took exams from our CBT centres across Nigeria and remotely from their own locations, with video and audio proctoring to maintain exam integrity. We achieved a 90% success rate across all exam sessions. That’s not a pilot programme. That’s infrastructure working at scale.

The regulatory groundwork is also being laid. Nigeria’s NUC has started recognising ODL institutions. The window to build at scale is right now, and the institutions that move decisively in this window will define what Nigerian higher education looks like for the next generation.

TE: Connectivity, affordability of devices, and digital literacy remain major barriers. What practical strategies can edtech platforms adopt to ensure inclusion beyond major cities?

LN: This is where I think a lot of edtech platforms get it wrong, they build for Lagos and then wonder why adoption stalls everywhere else.

Inclusion beyond major cities is a product problem before it’s a policy problem. And it has to be designed from the start, not retrofitted.

A few things that actually matter:

Offline-first design: 

Content must work without a reliable internet. Downloadable modules, SMS-based check-ins, even USSD for assessments. This isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a core product requirement for anyone serious about reaching students outside urban centres.

Low-bandwidth optimization: 

Audio-led content costs a fraction of the data that video does. A two-minute audio lesson is accessible to someone on a 2G network while a video isn’t. We need to build for the constraint, not the ideal.

Device-agnostic delivery: 

Most learners outside Lagos are on entry-level Android phones, not laptops. If your platform isn’t built for that reality first, you’re not actually building for Nigeria.

Last-mile human support: 

Pure digital approach doesn’t work without human touchpoints in local communities and that’s a fact. People who help the learners navigate the platform, troubleshoot issues, and stay accountable are critical. We see this in our CBT centre model. The technology enables the exam, and the centre staff make it possible for students who’ve never sat a digital exam before to adjust and adapt.

Zero-rated data partnerships:

Working with telcos to zero-rate educational content is underutilised in Nigeria. It’s been done in other markets (check out SA, Kenya, Ghana). It works.

Local language interfaces: 

Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, these aren’t optional extras. They’re the difference between adoption and abandonment in non-Lagos markets.

TE: How can partnerships between edtech companies, government institutions, and private sector stakeholders accelerate large-scale impact in Nigeria and across Africa?

LN: The honest answer is that each stakeholder has something the others lack and that’s actually the opportunity.

The government has regulatory legitimacy, public infrastructure, and the ability to mandate adoption at scale. But it lacks execution speed and product thinking.

Edtech companies have product, distribution, and data but struggle to reach the bottom of the pyramid profitably on their own, and often lack community-level trust. The private sector; banks, telcos, employers, have funding and distribution networks, but need a clear return on investment to commit.

The partnerships that actually work share three things: clear ownership (one party leads, others support), genuinely aligned incentives rather than MoUs that gather dust, and data-sharing agreements that let everyone measure real impact.

A model I think is worth scaling is: an edtech platform that partners with state governments to deliver accredited skills programmes through public school infrastructure.

The government provides the venues and credibility, edtech provides the curriculum and technology, and the private sector sponsors access for underserved learners in exchange for first-look hiring rights. Everyone wins, and the incentives are real.

Across Africa, the same logic applies. The continent’s education challenges are too large for any single actor. But the partnerships that will move the needle are the ones built around shared data, shared accountability, and shared upside, not just shared press releases.

TE: Looking ahead to the next five years, what measurable outcomes should we expect if technology is effectively deployed to bridge Nigeria’s education gap?

LN: Vague aspirations don’t move anything. Here’s what I’d actually want to see tracked:

Tertiary enrollment rate:

Nigeria sits at roughly 11% today. With effective ODL and tech deployment, a realistic target is 20–22% by 2031. If we’re not moving that number, the access story isn’t real.

Result turnaround time: 

Traditional universities take months to release exam results. A well-run digital assessment system can do it in days. That’s a concrete, measurable improvement in the student experience and it has downstream effects on employment timelines and student confidence.

Cost per learner: 

If technology is working, the cost to educate one learner to a recognised credential should drop significantly. A 40–50% reduction in cost per learner compared to the traditional university model is achievable and should be a stated target.

Geographic reach:

What percentage of enrolled learners are from non-Lagos, non-Abuja states? If that number isn’t growing year on year, the inclusion story is just marketing.

Employment outcomes:

The percentage of graduates placed in formal employment within 12 months of completing a tech-enabled programme. This is the metric employers and government actually care about, and it’s the one that builds long-term trust in digital credentials.

Gender parity in STEM: 

Female enrollment in technology and STEM programmes needs to be tracked specifically not buried in aggregate numbers. If we’re not intentional about this, the gap widens even as overall access improves.

Five years is enough time to move all of these meaningfully. But only if institutions, governments, and the private sector are willing to be held accountable to numbers, not narratives.

If Nigeria’s education system is to undergo significant positive change, the metrics will reflect the growth.

Enrolment in tertiary institutions must move from roughly 11% to something closer to 20% within five years. The cost per learner must reduce by almost half. Enrollment in schools must expand beyond highly urbanized areas. Employment outcomes must become more transparent and gender gaps in STEM must narrow, not widen.

These are not abstract ambitions. They are measurable indicators of whether reform is real or rhetorical.

As Nwobodo makes clear, technology alone is not the reform. Infrastructure, regulatory backing, inclusive design, and cross-sector partnerships are the reform. Technology is just the delivery mechanism.

The coming five years will test whether Nigeria’s institutions are prepared to build to scale, accountability, and inclusion, or whether digital transformation will remain another intentional promise that still remains unmet.

Lydia Nwobodo’s profile;

Lydia Nwobodo is a Product Manager with over five years of experience building digital products across edtech, logistics, and e-commerce in Nigeria. She currently leads product development for the Exam Portal at Miva Open University, an open and distance learning institution under uLesson Group, where she is responsible for creating seamless exam experiences for students and faculty across Nigeria and beyond.

In her role, Lydia has overseen the delivery of large-scale proctored exam seasons, most recently supporting over 17,000 students across 400+ exams in December 2025, for remote postgraduate and undergraduate learners nationwide.

Before Miva, she held product roles at Heroshe and Sendbox, where she built logistics operations tools, B2B inventory systems, and e-commerce marketplaces, cutting operational costs by 36% and reducing product development time by 45%.

Lydia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and is certified in Product Management and Digital Marketing. She is passionate about building technology that works for real people especially in contexts where the infrastructure is imperfect and the stakes are high.

The post Lydia Nwobodo Speaks on How Miva’s ODL Model is Transforming Higher Education in Nigeria  appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Obadare whose presentation titled “Navigating The Future of Technology In Africa: The Intersection of AI, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Cybersecurity,” examined adoption trends, industry impact, and the key challenges across these technologies.

Taking an overview of Emerging Technologies in Africa, Obadare who was represented by Oluwakayode Olatunji, CISO and Group Head of Information Security at Digital Encode Limited stated that Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating in key sectors like fintech, healthtech, and agritech that are adopting cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies.

According to him, whereas mobile penetration, cloud computing, and increasing internet access are driving the growth of these technologies, these innovations come with risks and threats associated with cyberattacks, fraud, and data breaches and cautioned that a robust cybersecurity framework is crucial for sustainable digital transformation.

While acknowledging that Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising industries in Africa especially in such areas as healthcare, agriculture, and fintech, Obadare noted that such revolution comes with its challenges including data privacy breach, bias in algorithms as well as limited AI talent.

The cybersecurity expert posited that blockchain is a path to transparency and efficiency as it has been proved that the technology can create transparent, immutable records for elections, land registries, and public services, provide access to financial services for the unbanked and underbanked populations, as well as enhance transparency in the movement of goods, tracking provenance, and preventing fraud.

He however, identified two major challenges mitigating against the seamless adoption of blockchain technology in Africa to include regulatory ambiguity, where governments are still crafting policies around blockchain’s use, which creates a barrier to widespread adoption; and the issue of interoperability evident in the lack of integration with legacy systems.

“AI adoption in Africa spans sectors like finance, healthcare, agriculture, and retail, though progress is slowed by limited infrastructure and data privacy concerns. Blockchain shows potential in fintech, supply chain, and governance, yet faces regulatory ambiguity and legacy system integration challenges,” he said.

Obadare stated that Cryptocurrency is gaining popularity in such African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, who belong to the group of countries with the highest cryptocurrency adoption rates globally.

He listed some opportunities in the adoption of cryptocurrency to include the reduction in the cost and time of cross-border remittances, which are a vital part of African economies; enablement of individuals to circumvent inflationary pressure and capital control restrictions; and boosting entrepreneurship by affording Startups and SMEs the opportunity to raise capital through Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Decentralised Finance (DeFi) platforms.

He however, pointed out that cryptocurrency has its own challenges including financial volatility, regulatory policies that have seen several African countries ban or heavily restrict cryptocurrency use due to concerns about fraud and money laundering; and rampant Ponzi scams and crypto-related frauds leading to loss of trust.

In his words,

“Cryptocurrency, especially in Nigeria, is seeing rapid adoption in remittances, investment, and payments, despite volatility and government restrictions. Meanwhile, cybersecurity remains vital as cybercrime escalates across banking, telecom, and government sectors, demanding robust frameworks to protect against evolving threats.”

Obadare, a professor of practice at Miva Open University, Abuja stated that adopting emerging technologies like AI, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and IoT is associated with emerging cybersecurity threats and challenges noting that global cybercrime costs are expected to rise significantly, driven by more frequent and sophisticated attacks like ransomware and APTs.

“The rapid pace of technological advancements has transformed the way we live, work, and interact with each other. From cloud computing to artificial intelligence, new technologies are being adopted at an unprecedented rate. However, this increased reliance on technology has also introduced new cybersecurity threats and challenges.

“Healthcare, financial services, and cloud providers remain prime targets, with attacks on critical infrastructure and IoT expected to intensify. AI, quantum computing, and supply chain vulnerabilities will dominate cyber risks,” he said.

On the future of cybersecurity, he said that the cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, and financial sectors must stay ahead of the curve by adopting the latest trends and innovations, noting that,

“The future of cybersecurity is uncertain, but one thing is clear: AI-powered cybersecurity, cloud security, DevSecOps, IoT security, and quantum computing-resistant cryptography will play a critical role in protecting financial sectors systems, data, and customers from emerging threats.”

Cybersecurity experts he said, play a pivotal role in identifying and mitigating cyber risks through proactive measures and robust security protocols and underscored the need for a security-first culture even as he advocated for government, business, and academic partnerships to create secure, scalable systems for Africa’s digital future.

“In today’s digitally driven world, cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly common and sophisticated. As a result, teams must prioritize security to protect their organizations from these threats. Fostering a security-first culture within teams is crucial to enhance resilience and prevent cyber-attacks,” Obadare concluded.

Some Key takeaways from the presentation include;

1. Security First As a Culture: This must be adopted by both individuals and businesses through consistent awareness.
2. Opportunities Abound: AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrency present unparalleled opportunities for economic growth and social development in Africa.
3. Security is Paramount for Tech Adoption: Cybersecurity must be at the heart of any technological adoption strategy to safeguard progress.
4. Collaboration is Key: Governments, businesses, and academia must collaborate to create secure, scalable frameworks for emerging technologies.

The post AI | Blockchain | Cybersecurity – Key Takeaways from Obadare’s Presentation at AfriTECH 4.0 appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This is essential for driving sub-sectoral digital growth through Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In his presentation, through Oluwakayode Olatunji, CISO and group head of InfoSec & GRC Advisory at Digital Encode Limited, at one-day ICT Growth Conference organized by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) at the Citi Height Hotel, Lagos, he noted that many African countries lag behind in cybersecurity.

Even in Nigeria, the financial sector has been at the forefront of leveraging AI and cybersecurity, contributing about 25%-30% of AI involvement based on local statistics.

Prof. Obadare highlighted the potential of AI across various sectors, including finance, health, energy, transportation, defense, medical, and agriculture.

He underscored AI’s ability to predict productivity and its diverse benefits but quickly cautioned against the dangers of AI misuse, stemming from issues such as bias and fairness, inadequate transparency, security vulnerabilities, data privacy concerns, and ethical and moral dilemmas.

The cybersecurity expert discussed the use of AI in threat landscape profiling, crime detection and prevention, and reporting capabilities.

He stressed the importance of responsible AI usage and the need for continued investment in AI and cybersecurity.

Identifying AI Governance, Architecture, Implementation, Operations, and Monitoring (GAIOM) as key elements for effective cybersecurity strategies in responsible AI development, he emphasized the importance of AI architecture, including business and data architecture, technology-infrastructure architecture and the necessity of a security architecture which includes cybersecurity and data privacy protection respectively.

Data protection and privacy are crucial components of AI implementation. The process of implementing AI, from setting goals to security monitoring, is vital. The role of education and investment in education for driving AI adoption and economic growth cannot be overemphasized.

To fully realize the impact of AI on national development, he advocated for explicitly defined governance objectives, an AI ethical framework, an interdisciplinary approach, robust local content data management, all-inclusive regulatory compliance, tailored best practice risk assessment and mitigation, transparency and explainability, sustained human capacity development, and robust processes to address AI implementation challenges. He also argued that monitoring AI usage and ensuring its alignment with set goals during the implementation process is critical.

In addition, he called for increased public sector and government investment in education to drive AI adoption and economic growth, noting that the role of education in providing the necessary skills and knowledge for AI implementation cannot be ignored.

He introduced the concept of “knowledge banking,” where knowledge can be monetized to address various economic sectors. He pointed out that in countries using AI to drive their economies, education is a fundamental prerequisite, and positively disruptive education leads to the needed transformation by developing tailored skill sets.

“When we examine this, it becomes evident that many challenges we face in this part of the world will become easier to address. As a country, we have the potential to be a leading light in the knowledge economy because Nigeria is blessed with brilliant men and women,” he said.

Prof. Obadare, who was recently appointed a Professor of Practice by MIVA Open University, Abuja, also proposed a disruption of the educational sector to improve data quality.

He emphasized that relying too heavily on outsourced data libraries can lead to AI biases and stressed the importance of maintaining excellent data quality as a local content treasure.

“To address this, we need to disrupt the educational sector, particularly from primary to tertiary institutions, to focus more on institutional or research-based education. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the global data was sourced from Johns Hopkins Hospital research center, indicating the importance of local research centers.

“We should encourage partnerships with the private and public sectors to create local content hubs, which would attract global tech companies like Meta and Google to invest in our ingenuity. Our tertiary education sector should be research-oriented and local content-focused to improve data quality and upskill the workforce, adapting to the challenge of training AI rather than traditional skills,” he concluded.

The post Obadare Highlights Critical Role of Cybersecurity in AI-Driven Economy appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Dr. Obadare’s letter of appointment as a Professor of Practice (Cybersecurity) by Miva Open University, Abuja, dated 1st of July 2024 and was signed by the University’s Registrar, Iheanyi Akwitti.

The position of Professor of Practice is awarded to distinguished individuals of recognized professional standing, with significant track record of exceptional professional experience in their field.

This Professor of Practice appointment will offer Dr. Obadare, arguably the most “credentialed” global digital trust leader, cybersecurity strategist, and GRC thought leader the opportunity to draw from his extensive industry and professional expertise, to provide links for students in theoretical principles, conceptual and functional application of cybersecurity knowledge, consequently, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Miva Open University headed by Professor Tayo Arulogun, the Vice Chancellor, will have the opportunity of exposing the students to real-world experiences and practical knowledge, networking opportunities with industry professionals, improved employability through building of up-to-date skills and competence. In addition to developing capacity and knowledge in areas of vulnerability management, penetration testing, computer forensics, risk management and compliance etc., from Dr. Obadare with this appointment.

He will be collaborating with the University to enhance its reputation through association with industry leaders, fostering stronger connections within the industry for research and development, improving curriculum relevance and innovation.

In his reply, Dr. Obadare expressed his appreciations for the privilege to contribute to Miva Open University’s purpose of preparing people for opportunity and improving society through education.

In his words, “I am truly honoured to join Miva Open University as a Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity, the first in Nigeria, and thrilled to work with the University in deepening ‘town and gown’ relationship.

“This appointment offers the opportunity to give back to the society and I look forward to synergizing with other faculty members to stimulate growth and value creation.”

Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale is a seasoned Multi-Award PAN-African Digital Trust Leader, CyberSecurity Strategist, GRC Thought Leader & Global Technopreneur with over 58 (Fifty-Eight) international professional certifications to his credit, Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Liverpool University, UK, and was awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree in Cybersecurity from Trinity International University of Ambassadors Atlanta Georgia, United State of America.

A Fellow British Computer Society (FBCS), Fellow Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), Fellow Institute of Information Management (FIIM), Fellow Enterprise Security Risk Management (FESRM), Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP-UK), Chartered Risk Manager (CRM-Nigeria), The First PECB Certified Data Protection Officer  (CDPO) in Nigeria, The First PECB Lead Pentest Professional in Nigeria, First Global PECB Certified Digital Transformation Officer (CDTO), The First Ec-Council Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) in Africa , First Ec-Council Certified Blockchain in Africa, Second COBIT 5 Certified Assessor in Africa,  Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Qualified Security Assessor (PCI DSS QSA), Forbes Technology Council Official Member and Forbes Best of Africa Outstanding Digital Trust Leader 2023 Awardee.

He is a well-recognized subject matter expert with numerous successful engagements to his credit in Africa and the world. His skills and experience spans Data Privacy, Data Protection, CyberSecurity, Information Security, Vulnerability Management, Penetration Testing, Computer Forensics, Business Continuity, I T Governance, Risk Management and Compliance.

He is a Cybersecurity Advisory Board Member for Lagos State Government, a Platinum Team Member of Open-Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM), as well a lifetime member of the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP).

He is an alumnus of FATE Foundation and US Department of State Exchange program.

He is also a distinguished alumnus of executive education at Harvard Business School, Harvard School of Government, MIT Sloan School of Management, MIT Professional Education and Oxford University – Said Business School, amongst other laurels.

The post Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale Appointed Professor of Practice at Miva Open University appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

As traditional institutions struggle to meet growing demand, proprietary EdTech platforms are stepping in to fill critical gaps.

Nigeria’s first fully online university, Miva Open University, offers a compelling case study in how digital-first models can unlock new pathways for tertiary education, but the lessons extend far beyond one institution.

In many emerging economies, access to higher education remains a privilege rather than a right. Nigeria’s conventional university system, for instance, has long been plagued by infrastructural limitations, frequent strikes, and a mismatch between graduate skills and market needs.

In 2018, over 190,000 qualified candidates were denied admission to just seven public universities, and by 2019, only 102,500 students were enrolled in private universities out of a total 2.15 million. These numbers reflect a system under strain, unable to accommodate the aspirations of its youth.

Proprietary EdTech platforms offer a scalable solution. By leveraging technology, these platforms can bypass physical constraints and deliver learning directly to students wherever they are.

Miva’s model, entirely online, with flexible schedules and mobile-friendly access, demonstrates how digital infrastructure can democratize education.

Its decision to eliminate the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and rely solely on WAEC results for admission is a bold move toward inclusivity, lowering barriers for working adults and underserved communities.

However, building successful EdTech platforms in emerging markets requires more than just digitising content.

Accessibility must be intentional, with platforms designed to function across devices and bandwidth levels.

Affordability is non-negotiable; fee structures must reflect local economic realities, and payment plans should be flexible. Entry requirements should be inclusive, reducing academic gatekeeping and expanding participation. These principles are not just ethical, they’re strategic.

Content delivery also demands innovation. Video lectures and online facilitation are useful, but without strong student support systems, attrition rates can soar.

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), despite reporting 76.5% satisfaction with course materials, faces a 41% dropout rate.

This highlights the need for community-building, mentorship, and consistent engagement. Proprietary platforms must invest in retention strategies that go beyond the screen.

Scalability is another critical factor. Miva’s curriculum, focused on digital skills and market-relevant disciplines, is designed for replication across African markets.

But scaling requires partnerships, with governments for accreditation, with telecoms for connectivity, and with industry for curriculum relevance. EdTech companies like Teesas and TechQuest Academy have shown how collaboration can drive sustainable growth.

Ultimately, the lesson from Nigeria is clear: proprietary EdTech platforms can transform tertiary education in emerging markets, but success depends on thoughtful design, inclusive policies, and a deep understanding of local contexts.

Miva Open University is not the end goal; it’s a blueprint. For innovators across Africa and beyond, the challenge is to build systems that are not only digital but equitable, resilient, and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.

About the Writer:

*Esther Awa is a Product Leader with over five years of experience delivering technology solutions across Africa, North America, and Australia. She has led product innovation in EdTech, SaaS, and AI/ML, working with Miva Open University, Xceleon LLC, Prazle Inc,, and Tespire. She holds a B.Eng. in Computer Engineering with certifications in SAFe Product Management and Product-Led Methodologies.

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