‘The vision to build accessible e-learning platform for every learner changed our story’

Osayi Izedonmwen is not just building companies he is engineering solutions to Nigeria’s toughest challenges. A visionary entrepreneur and industrialist, his work sits at the powerful intersection of technology, education, and economic transformation.

From his early days as an Operations Manager at ExxonMobil to founding Teesas Inc., a fast-growing education technology company expanding across Africa, Izedonmwen has consistently redefined what innovation looks like in emerging markets. As Chairman of Imose Technologies West Africa’s largest indigenous manufacturer of tablets and smartphones he is now positioning the company for a bold entry into Nigeria’s fiercely competitive GSM market, following its recent Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licence, he is also the chairman of Izedon Carbonates, Nigeria’s first fully-integrated calcium carbonates manufacturing company. In this conversation with KENNETH ATHEKAME, he unpacked how education technology can unlock inclusive growth, why Nigeria’s learning system needs urgent reinvention, and how Teesas is evolving from a simple app into a full-scale education ecosystem. Excerpts:

You transitioned from engineering and energy into education technology. What problem were you trying to solve when you founded Teesas?

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital learning, forcing schools and parents to rethink education delivery. We saw an opportunity to build an accessible e-learning platform for every learner whether in urban centres, underserved communities, or the diaspora. That vision shaped the Teesas Education app, which launched with core subjects like Mathematics, English, and Science, alongside local languages including Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Bini, and even French.

How did your experience building Imose Technologies shape your approach to designing education products?

Imose was built on strong research and development capabilities, and we carried that same DNA into Teesas. What started as a single product and educational app has evolved into a fully integrated ecosystem that combines R&D, software, content creation, tutoring, and hardware. That end-to-end approach is what sets us apart.

What early signals convinced you that Teesas could scale beyond a consumer learning app?

We pay close attention to consumer insights. As the world emerged from COVID-19, it became clear that neither education nor work would remain fully remote. That forced us to pivot toward hybrid learning. At the same time, the growing emphasis on social-emotional learning led us to partner exclusively with Franklin Covey Education to deliver the Leader in Me programme in schools. That marked a turning point in our scale journey.

Nigeria’s education sector faces structural gaps. Where can technology make the fastest impact?

Infrastructure deficits will take years to fix, so the quickest wins lie in administration and data management. Technology can digitise enrolment, standardise teaching, reduce absenteeism, and improve learning outcomes. For example, our Education Management System (EMS) tracks teacher attendance, enables real-time student monitoring, and ensures consistent lesson delivery across schools.

How do you balance affordability with high-quality content?

We made early investments in studios and pedagogy labs, which now allow us to produce high-quality content at scale without recurring production costs. Combined with AI-driven efficiencies, this enables us to maintain quality while keeping pricing accessible.

What differentiates Teesas from other edtech platforms in Africa?

From day one, we focused on whole-child development. Beyond academics, we integrate native language learning and social-emotional development through programmes like Leader in Me. More importantly, we’ve evolved into an education-focused company delivering end-to-end learning solutions across apps, schools, learning centres, and digital infrastructure.

Teesas has grown into a full ecosystem. What drove that shift?

Market reality. Parents wanted children back in classrooms, but with the benefits of technology. We realised hybrid learning was the future. Schools were also juggling multiple vendors, so we stepped in as a one-stop solution covering teacher training, administration systems, leadership programmes, and exam preparation.

How does Teesas measure real learning outcomes?

We track progress through continuous assessment. Students are evaluated at entry, monitored weekly, and their improvements are mapped against final exam results. In one case, a student improved from scoring 140 in an initial test to 349 in the UTME clear evidence of impact.

Nigeria continues to struggle with exam outcomes. How is Teesas addressing this?

We combine structured exam preparation with our Watch–Teach–Assess (WTA) model. Students first engage with video content, then receive in-depth teaching, followed by immediate assessment. This reinforces understanding and builds discipline. The results speak for themselves over 97percent pass rates and a growing number of high scorers annually.

What policy changes would accelerate digital learning in Nigeria?

Improved internet penetration and lower data costs are critical. With better connectivity, tools like tablets and digital platforms can truly bridge the education gap, especially in underserved communities.

Teesas sits at the intersection of purpose and profit. How do you balance both?

We are intentional about solving real problems, but we are also a for-profit business. Our freemium model allows broad access while sustaining revenue, with tiered pricing that accommodates different income levels.

If you could redesign Nigeria’s education system, what would you change first?

I would rethink what children learn, how they are taught, and how schools are managed, introducing a modern curriculum, continuous teacher upskilling, and data-driven governance systems fit for the 21st century.