What Miva Open University does

Miva Open University is a private, for-profit open and distance learning university licensed by Nigeria's National Universities Commission (NUC), headquartered in Abuja with study centres in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Jos. Founded in 2023 under the uLesson Group ecosystem led by Sim Shagaya, the institution delivers NUC-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across six schools: Computing (including BSc. programmes in AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, Computer Science, and IT), Management and Social Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, Communication and Media Studies, Education, and Postgraduate Studies (MBA, MPA, MIT, MPH, MCrim, MISD, MSCM, DBA). It targets working Nigerian adults, recent secondary school leavers, and pan-African learners who need flexible, affordable, accredited credentials.

The platform is anchored by a proprietary Learning Management System that delivers pre-recorded lessons, live virtual classes, discussion forums, assessments, a 24/7 E-Library, and an AI-powered conversational tutoring system called MIND (Miva Interactive Neural Dialogue) that runs adaptive boardroom-style simulations. Curriculum is industry-aligned through named Executive-in-Residence practitioners and partnerships such as ChipMango for semiconductor design and Prof. OPA as Nigeria's first Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity.

Miva monetises primarily through tuition billed per academic session or semester, with domestic prices starting at ₦300,000 for undergraduate Computing programmes and ₦607,000+ for postgraduate programmes, plus international USD pricing ($635–$9,700), ancillary fees (extended study, deferred exams, change of programme), and a ₦20,000-per-enrollee referral programme. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via a self-serve online application and Paystack payment gateway, with a stated goal of reaching 1 million African learners by 2030.

Name

Miva Open University

Legal name

Miva Open University Education

Website

https://miva.edu.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Miva Open University is a Nigeria-based, NUC-licensed open and distance learning university serving working adults and pan-African learners with accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees delivered through a proprietary LMS, AI-powered MIND tutoring, and study centres in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Jos.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

MOOC & Open Course Platforms (EDAFAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Distance learning degrees
• AI learning platform
• Computing degree programs
• Postgraduate business education

Headquarters

HQ city

Abuja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition (Domestic Students): Tuition fees charged per academic session (annual) or per semester. Nigerian students pay in Naira (NGN). Fees start at ₦300,000 per session for the School of Computing undergraduate programmes. Bachelor of Science programmes at School of Management and Social Sciences start at ₦340,000 per session.
2. Postgraduate Tuition (Domestic Students): Tuition for master's programmes starts at ₦607,000 per session. Doctoral (DBA) programme tuition is $9,700. MBA programmes charge ₦950,000 per session or ₦285,000 per semester.
3. International Student Tuition (USD): Students residing outside Nigeria are billed in USD. Undergraduate programmes charge $635 per session. Postgraduate programmes charge $845–$970 per session. International parity fees apply for students discovered to be residing outside Nigeria.
4. Referral Programme Commission: Referrers earn ₦10,000 when a referred student pays tuition for the first semester, and an additional ₦10,000 when the student completes second-semester payment — incentivising the Miva community to drive enrolments.
5. Extended Study Fees: Students exceeding the standard programme duration plus the two-semester Extended Study Allowance are charged ₦50,000 per additional semester plus ₦10,000 per course registered. This generates incremental revenue from students who need extended enrollment.
6. Deferred Examination Fees: Students deferring examinations pay a flat fee of ₦10,000 (Nigeria) or US$20 (international). A parity fee of US$10 applies for international students taking deferred exams outside Nigeria.
7. Change of Programme Fee: Students applying to change programme are charged a ₦10,000 processing fee, applied or deducted as applicable.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Miva Open University is an NUC-licensed open and distance learning institution that sells accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes to individuals, delivered through a proprietary cloud-based Learning Management System combining pre-recorded video content, live virtual classes, an E-Library, and an AI-powered tutoring tool called MIND. Programmes span six schools — Computing, Management and Social Sciences, Communication and Media Studies, Allied Health Sciences, Education, and Postgraduate Studies — and are priced per semester or annual session in Naira for Nigerian students and in USD for international learners.

Product overview

Miva Open University is an open and distance learning university licensed by Nigeria's National Universities Commission (NUC), offering a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across six academic schools: Computing (including AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, Computer Science, and IT), Management and Social Sciences, Communication and Media Studies, Allied Health Sciences, Education, and Postgraduate Studies. The institution's core product is its cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS), which delivers a blended learning model combining pre-recorded content, live virtual classes, digital libraries, and AI-powered personalization. The standout feature is MIND (Miva Interactive Neural Dialogue), an integrated AI conversational learning and assessment system that provides real-time interactive case studies and simulations. The LMS integrates e-library, e-courseware, student portal, and certificate verification tools, while the broader offering spans programme categories across technology, business, health, media, and education disciplines, supplemented by executive masterclasses, career services, and study/community centres in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Jos.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School of Computing Degree Programmes Undergraduate and postgraduate computing degree programmes including BSc. Artificial Intelligence, BSc. Computer Science, BSc. Cybersecurity, BSc. Data Science, BSc. Software Engineering, BSc. Information Technology, and Master of Information Technology (MIT), with curriculum integrating AI, machine learning, cloud computing, robotics, and (via ChipMango) semiconductor and chip design.
• School of Management and Social Sciences Degree Programmes Business and social science degree programmes including BSc. Business Management, BSc. Economics, BSc. Accounting, BSc. Public Policy and Administration, BSc. Entrepreneurship, BSc. Criminology and Security Studies, and postgraduate MBA, MPA, and DBA degrees. Tuition from ₦340,000 per session for undergraduate programmes.
• School of Communication and Media Studies Degree Programmes Media-focused undergraduate programme including BSc. Mass Communication and Media Studies.
• School of Allied Health Sciences Degree Programmes Healthcare-focused programmes including B.N.Sc. Nursing Science, BSc. Public Health, B.CHS Community Health Science, B.EHS Environmental Health Science, and Master of Public Health (MPH).
• School of Education Degree Programmes Education-focused programmes including B.Ed Early Childhood Education and B.Ed Primary Education.
• School of Postgraduate Studies Degree Programmes Advanced degrees including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Information Technology (MIT), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Criminology and Security Management (M.CSM), Master of International and Sustainable Development (M.ISD), Master of Supply Chain Management (M.SCM), and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at $9,700.
• MIND (Miva Interactive Neural Dialogue) AI Tutoring Platform AI-powered conversational learning and assessment system integrated directly into Miva's learning platform. Delivers real-time interactive case studies and AI-driven boardroom simulations (e.g., Chief Revenue Officer scenarios), adapts to individual learning pace, remembers prior interactions, and is being adapted for corporate training use.
• Semiconductor and Chip Design Education (via ChipMango partnership) Industry-tested semiconductor and chip design curriculum integrated into the School of Computing, developed by experienced semiconductor engineers via ChipMango, providing students with hands-on learning, practical simulations, and real-world chip design projects to prepare for careers in the global semiconductor industry.
• Industry Masterclass Series Live and recorded expert-led sessions where students and prospective learners engage with senior industry professionals and accomplished leaders, including Ladi Balogun (FCMB Group CEO) and Dr Adebukola Oyewunmi, on topics such as leadership, innovation, and industry practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ students enrolled across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with maiden convocation of 1,212 graduates
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tunji Olowolafe FoundationcoreOthers · 26 June 2026The Tunji Olowolafe Foundation launched the Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship with a ₦1 billion fund to sponsor 1,000 students at Miva Open University. Dr. Tunji Olowolafe serves as Pro-Chancellor of Miva. The scholarship dramatically reduces cost barriers for the primary working-adult target segment.
• ChipMangocoreTechnology or Integration · 6 November 2025Miva Open University partnered with ChipMango, a microchip design and e-learning company, to integrate advanced semiconductor education into its School of Computing curriculum. ChipMango provides industry-tested microchip design and verification curriculum developed by experienced semiconductor engineers. Students gain hands-on learning, practical simulations, and opportunities to work on real-world chip design projects. The partnership aims to build Africa's semiconductor talent pipeline and positions Miva as Africa's leading technology-focused university. ChipMango's COO Jov an Andjelich called the collaboration a shared vision to make advanced chip design education accessible to anyone with the passion to learn.
• Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2025LCCI Director General Dr Chinyere Almona was represented at the launch of Miva's 2025 Half-Year MSME Survey Report. The event assessed MSME performance in Lagos, engaging business, academia, and civil society stakeholders. LCCI participation lent institutional credibility to Miva's first university-led MSME research initiative.
• Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2025ASBON President Dr Femi Egbesola attended the launch of Miva's 2025 Half-Year MSME Survey Report, contributing to discussions on MSME challenges including financing, market access, and structural barriers in Lagos.
• MORE (Meristem Orientation for Rising Entrepreneurs) by Meristem LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2025MORE Coach Dr Femi Oladele attended the launch of Miva's MSME Survey Report, bringing entrepreneurship coaching expertise to discussions on MSME performance and the policy environment in Lagos.
• Prof. Obadare Peter Adewale (Prof. OPA)coreOthers · 1 July 2024Prof. OPA was appointed as Nigeria's first Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity by Miva Open University in July 2024, representing a structural intervention to bridge academic cybersecurity education and industry requirements. He co-founded Digital Encode Limited (serving 90%+ of Nigeria's financial institutions and 80% of telecoms companies) and serves as Technical Partner to the CBN's Electronic Fraud Forum.
• PaystackcoreTechnology or IntegrationMiva partners with Paystack as its primary third-party payment service provider to facilitate secure and efficient tuition payment transactions. All transaction processing fees are charged to students at the point of payment and are not set by Miva Open University.
• uLesson GroupcoreOthersMiva Open University was launched by the uLesson Group, which also created Ulesson (over 1 million downloads). Sim Shagaya, CEO of uLesson Group, provides strategic direction and EdTech operational expertise, having learned that successful EdTech requires designing for context, investing in people, and exercising patience in low-connectivity environments. uLesson Group's track record provides credibility and operational infrastructure.
• Technology Incubation Centre (TIC, Lagos) / National Board of Technology Incubation (NBTI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIC/NBTI Chief Commercial Officer Mrs Adebowale Taiwo attended the launch of Miva's MSME Survey Report. TIC serves as a platform for technology incubation that may align with Miva's tech-focused graduate outcomes and future collaboration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• African Leadership University (ALU): Pan-African higher-education institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with a mission-driven, technology-enabled model. ALU competes with Miva for African working adults seeking accredited alternative credentials.
• University of the People (UoPeople): Tuition-free, accredited online university serving global learners including significant numbers in Africa. Closely comparable business model: low-cost online degree delivery targeting underserved populations.
• National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN): Nigeria's largest established open and distance learning university and the only legacy ODL institution licensed by the NUC. NOUN is the most direct domestic competitor for open distance learners seeking accredited degrees.
• Nexford University: Fully online, subscription-based university targeting working professionals globally, including a strong African learner base. Direct competitor for Miva's working-adult segment with similarly flexible, affordable pricing.

Broad incumbents

• edX (2U): Major MOOC and online degree platform offering accredited pathways from global universities. Competes for the same international online learner pool that Miva targets with its USD-denominated programmes.
• Coursera: Global MOOC and online degree platform partnering with accredited universities to offer certificates and full degrees. Comparable in distribution model and Africa learner reach, though Coursera is broader and not a single institution.
• Western Governors University (WGU): Large, US-based competency-based online university with hundreds of thousands of students and a low-cost tuition model. Strategic reference point for Miva's aspiration to scale open distance learning at affordable price points.

Regional players

• Pan-Atlantic University: Nigerian private university offering business and management programmes to working professionals. Comparable on postgraduate professional education (MBA/MPA) where Miva's programmes directly overlap.
• Baze University: Nigerian private university in Abuja with a tech-forward positioning and similar target demographic of young Nigerian learners. Competes for the same domestic pool of fee-paying students in the FCT region.

Others

• uLesson: Sister EdTech company under uLesson Group with 1M+ downloads, providing K-12 and secondary content. Not a direct competitor but a sibling brand that shares operational expertise and serves as the upstream funnel into Miva's higher-education offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MivaOpenUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/miva-open-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/mivaopenuniversity

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Miva Open University