Anna Ekezie

Introduction: A Pioneer at the Intersection of Education and Technology

In the dynamic landscape of African technology and entrepreneurship, Anna Ekezie stands out as a transformative figure. As the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of uLesson, she has played an instrumental role in building one of Africa's most impactful and recognizable EdTech platforms. Born in Nigeria in 1988, Anna Ekezie represents a new generation of leaders leveraging technology to solve deep-rooted societal challenges. Her work at uLesson, which delivers curriculum-aligned educational content via mobile and web applications, is directly addressing educational inequality and access for millions of students across the continent. Her notable achievement lies not just in co-founding a highly successful startup but in fundamentally reshaping how learning is consumed and experienced in emerging markets, making her a pivotal personality in both the Entertainment and education sectors through engaging, multimedia-rich content.

Early Life & Education: The Formative Years

Anna Ekezie was born in 1988 and grew up in Nigeria, a country with a vibrant culture but also facing significant educational challenges. Her early experiences within the Nigerian educational system provided her with firsthand insight into the gaps and opportunities that would later define her career. While specific details of her childhood are kept private, it is evident that her formative years instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of quality education as a catalyst for change.

Anna pursued higher education with a focus on business and management, laying a strong academic foundation for her entrepreneurial journey. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Port Harcourt, a choice that equipped her with the critical financial and analytical skills crucial for building a sustainable business. Her educational path did not stop there; she further honed her expertise by obtaining an MBA, which provided her with advanced strategic management and leadership capabilities. This blend of financial acumen and strategic vision became a cornerstone for her future role in scaling a tech startup. These formative experiences in Nigeria, combined with her rigorous academic training, positioned her to identify a unique market need: accessible, high-quality, and engaging educational content for the African student.

Career & Major Achievements: Building the uLesson Empire

Anna Ekezie's career trajectory is a testament to strategic vision and execution. Prior to uLesson, she garnered valuable experience in the corporate world, working in business development and management roles. This experience proved invaluable when she teamed up with her brother, Sim Shagaya, a seasoned entrepreneur, to launch uLesson in 2019. Anna assumed the role of Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, taking charge of the company's day-to-day operations, business strategy, and growth.

Launching and Scaling uLesson

The launch of uLesson was a direct response to a clear market gap. The platform started by offering curriculum-aligned video lessons, quizzes, and tests for secondary school students in Nigeria, preparing them for major exams like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB. Under Anna Ekezie's operational leadership, uLesson saw explosive growth. The platform's use of rich animation, engaging tutors, and data-light features made it uniquely suited for the African context. A key milestone was the launch of the uLesson app, which allowed students to learn offline—a critical feature in regions with unreliable internet connectivity.

Major Milestones and Impact

The achievements under Anna Ekezie's co-leadership are impressive. Within its first few years, uLesson attracted millions of dollars in venture capital funding from top-tier investors, a strong validation of its business model and potential. The company expanded its curriculum to cover not only Nigeria but also Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Gambia, and later introduced content for primary school learners. By 2023, uLesson had amassed over 3.5 million downloads and was serving hundreds of thousands of active users. Anna's role in orchestrating this scale, managing a growing team, and ensuring operational excellence has been widely recognized. Her work has positioned uLesson as a leader in the African EdTech space, demonstrating that sustainable, impactful businesses can be built while addressing core educational needs.

• Co-founded uLesson in 2019, serving as COO and driving operational strategy.
• Secured significant funding rounds, including a $7.5 million Series A round in 2020 and a $15 million Series B round in 2021.
• Scaled the platform to over 3.5 million downloads and expanded across multiple African countries.
• Pioneered the use of entertaining, animated video content to make learning engaging for African students.
• Recognized as a key female leader in the predominantly male-dominated African tech ecosystem.

Personal Life, Philanthropy & Lasting Legacy

While Anna Ekezie maintains a relatively private personal life, her professional persona reflects a leader deeply committed to mentorship and empowering the next generation. She is known to be an advocate for women in technology and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, often sharing insights and experiences to inspire young female founders. Her leadership style is often described as meticulous, passionate, and user-focused, ensuring that the student's learning experience remains at the heart of all uLesson's decisions.

In terms of legacy, Anna Ekezie's impact extends beyond business metrics. She is helping to shape the future of an entire continent by democratizing access to education. The uLesson platform is not just a tool for exam preparation; it is a vehicle for leveling the playing field, giving students in underserved communities a chance to compete with their peers anywhere in the world. Her work embodies the potential of social entrepreneurship—building a profitable venture that simultaneously drives profound social change. As a role model, she leaves a legacy of proving that with innovation, determination, and a deep understanding of local context, African entrepreneurs can build world-class solutions to African problems.

Net Worth & Business Ventures

As a successful Co-founder of a well-funded and rapidly scaling startup, Anna Ekezie has undoubtedly achieved significant financial success. While her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, it is closely tied to the valuation of uLesson. The company's substantial fundraising—over $25 million in total as of 2023—and its market leadership position imply a high valuation, placing it among the top EdTech companies in Africa. This financial backing reflects strong investor confidence in the business model that Anna helps to steer.

Her primary business venture remains uLesson, where she continues to serve as the operational backbone. The company's revenue streams include subscription fees for its premium content, which offers a sustainable and scalable business model. The success of uLesson has positioned Anna Ekezie as a significant shareholder and a key figure in the African tech investment landscape. Her financial acumen, honed from her accounting background, ensures that this venture is not only impactful but also built for long-term profitability and growth, setting a benchmark for future EdTech entrepreneurs in Nigeria and beyond.