Nigerian Diaspora EdTech Startups Revolutionize Global Education

Nigerian diaspora entrepreneurs are leveraging technology to revolutionize education globally, driven by a mission to democratize access to learning opportunities. These edtech startups are not only innovating but also achieving measurable success, showcasing the impact of their ventures.

Lingawa, co-founded by Frank Akinwande Williams, Yvonne Williams, and Uche Azinge in London, uses AI to teach African languages such as Yoruba and Igbo. The platform targets diaspora families and young learners, aiming to preserve cultural identity through language. Lingawa has garnered support from notable backers including the MasterCard Foundation and ex-Peloton CMO Dara Treseder.

Schollarr, founded by Tersoo Hulugh in 2024, is a peer-powered edtech social platform designed to make international education accessible to students from underdeveloped and developing regions. Born out of Tersoo’s personal journey, Schollarr has connected over 1,000 students across 24 countries to a global community of mentors and experts, documenting over 100 success stories in just 10 months.

Tuteria, founded by Godwin Benson and Abiola Oyeniyi in London, is a peer-to-peer learning platform that connects learners with vetted tutors for a wide range of subjects. Winner of the 2017 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, Tuteria has served over 10,000 learners and integrates digital skills training for the modern economy.

Afrilearn, founded by Isaac Oladipupo and Gabriel Olatunji-Legend, addresses the challenge of delivering world-class education to students with limited internet access. Through animated lessons and gamified quizzes, Afrilearn serves over 500,000 students and works with Nigerian state governments to align with school curricula. Its offline-first strategy is now a blueprint for education in low-bandwidth regions.

Izesan!, created by Anthony Otaigbe during the COVID-19 pandemic, uses gamified lessons to teach Yoruba, Esan, and Igbo to diaspora youth. With over 20,000 downloads, Izesan! is recognized by EdTech Africa and supported by cultural organizations, contributing to a broader cultural resurgence among African communities overseas.

Gradely, founded by Boye Oshinaga, offers personalized math and English lessons powered by AI. Its diagnostic tools help schools and parents identify and close learning gaps quickly. Serving over 15,000 students across 60+ schools in Africa, Gradely aims to become the go-to tool for adaptive learning across the continent.

Klas, founded by Nathan Nwachuku and Lekan Adejumo, helps educators launch live courses with built-in payments and student management tools. Over 2,000 educators have signed on since its launch, with expansion into India and North America. Klas is fuelling a new global economy of learning creators by enabling teachers and professionals to monetize their knowledge.

Dexude, founded by Charles Emembolu, addresses the gap in access to digital skills among African youth and women. Its blend of online and in-person learning spans coding, data analysis, and tech entrepreneurship. With 8,000+ learners trained, 70% of them women, Dexude partners with NGOs and tech hubs across Nigeria and Ghana, championing inclusive tech education.

Educare, founded by Alex Onyia, provides cloud-based tools for school performance tracking, teacher evaluations, and admin management. Operating in over 100 Nigerian schools, Educare modernizes K–12 operations and streamlines school leadership to focus on student outcomes. Recognized by EdTech Digest, Educare is a quiet force for education reform.

Funda, founded by Kolawole Olajide, delivers university learning materials through a mobile app, empowering students with flexible, on-demand learning. Inspired by his experiences in South Africa’s tech ecosystem, Olajide built a platform that earned the 2012 United Nations Award for Best Technology Innovation in Education. Funda aims to scale across African universities and reach diaspora communities globally, backed by investor interest and a vision to transform higher education access.

These ten startups are more than just products; they are platforms for progress. Whether helping a child in Lagos master calculus or teaching a teen in Toronto how to speak Igbo, these ventures reflect the best of Nigeria’s diaspora: bold, globally connected, and deeply rooted. As VC capital flows increase and ecosystems mature, more diasporan-led education ventures are expected to rise, solving some of the problems plaguing the continent’s current education system.