Sim Shagaya is a Nigerian media and technology entrepreneur.
He is known as the “Father of E-commerce in West Africa”. He founded Konga.com, one of West Africa’s largest e-commerce websites, and DealDey, a popular daily deals platform.
He is also the founder and chancellor of Miva Open University.
Shagaya has received several accolades, including the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the CNBC/All Africa Business Leaders Award in West Africa (2013) and the Leadership CEO of the Year award at The Leadership Conference/Awards (2014).
This is his profile as told by WOA:
Sim Shagaya’s Net Worth
Sim Shagaya’s net worth is estimated to be around $30 million, according to Silicon Africa. This places him among the richest tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
He has founded and been involved with several companies throughout his career, including:
- uLesson Education Limited: Founded in 2020, uLesson is an educational app designed to make learning accessible across Africa.
- Miva Open University: Recently launched, with Sim Shagaya serving as its founder and chancellor.
- Konga.com: Founded in July 2012, Konga was one of West Africa’s largest e-commerce platforms before he exited the company.
- E-Motion Advertising: A leading out-of-home media company that was acquired by Loatsad Promomedia in 2019.
- DealDey: Launched in March 2011 but is now defunct.
Additionally, he has been involved with other ventures such as:
- Alarena.com (dating site)
- Jobclan.com (job site)
- Gbogbo.com (classified site)
- iNollywood.com (media streaming service.
In October 2024, Shagaya also announced the launch of The Honey Badger Fund (HBF), a venture capital fund focused on supporting African entrepreneurs who are changing Africa for the better.
Sim Shagaya’s Education
Sim Shagaya’s educational accolades are just as impressive as his achievements. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University.
He also has a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Dartmouth College as well as an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Harvard Business School in 2003.
These qualifications have contributed to his career as a successful entrepreneur and leader in the technology and education sectors.
Sim Shagaya’s Success Journey
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1975, Shagaya attended the Nigerian Military School before pursuing higher education in the United States.
His father, John Nanzip Shagaya, was a Nigerian military officer who later became a politician. He served as a senator representing Plateau State in the Nigerian Senate before he died in 2018.
Growing up in a military household meant that Sim spent his childhood moving around different parts of Nigeria due to his father’s postings.
At the age of 11, he received his first computer from one of his father’s friends. This early exposure sparked an interest in technology that would later influence his career path.
Shagaya attended the Nigerian Military School and even served briefly in the Nigerian Army before deciding it wasn’t for him.
After completing his education, be worked as a banker in South Africa with Rand Merchant Bank before joining Google as the head of the company’s operations in Africa.
His entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of E-Motion Outdoor Advertising in 2005, which became a leading out-of-home media company.
This venture taught him valuable lessons about scaling businesses and navigating the advertising industry. The company was later acquired by Loatsad Promomedia Ltd.
In 2011, Shagaya launched DealDey, a daily deals platform, and in 2012, he founded Konga.com, one of West Africa’s largest e-commerce websites.
In 2020, Shagaya founded uLesson Education Limited, an educational platform aimed at making quality education accessible to learners across Africa.
Shagaya is also the founder and chancellor of Miva Open University, which received its operating license in May 2023.
Throughout his career, Shagaya has received numerous accolades, including the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the CNBC/All Africa Business Leaders Award in West Africa (2013) and the Leadership CEO of the Year award at The Leadership Conference/Awards (2014).
He has also served on the Economic Advisory Council of Plateau State since August 2019.
Sim Shagaya’s Scandals
Despite his success, Sim Shagaya has been involved in several controversies and allegations.
In 2024, he was accused of diverting company funds for personal expenses. However, he denied these allegations by stating that he invested a significant portion of his earnings from Konga into uLesson.
There have also been reports from past and current employees alleging a toxic work environment at uLesson Education Limited, with claims of bullying, verbal abuse, micromanaging, and discrimination.
Some sources have also accused him of using cuss words during meetings and targeting leaders who question his authority.
