‎MIVA, DALA STUDIO PARTNER TO TURN STUDENTS INTO NIGERIA'S NEXT ENTREPRENEURS. ‎

‎‎In a major education and entrepreneurship development initiative, Dala Studio has partnered with Miva Open University to train more than 25,000 Nigerian students to build digital businesses using artificial intelligence tools. The program is being positioned as one of the largest university-linked AI entrepreneurship projects in Nigeria.

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‎Dala Studio is an AI-powered creation platform developed by Gebeya Inc., a pan-African technology company. Through the agreement, Miva students will gain access to tools that allow them to create apps, websites, games, digital content, and automated business systems without needing advanced coding knowledge or expensive software.

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‎Organizers say the partnership addresses a growing gap between academic education and practical employability skills. Across Nigeria, many graduates leave university with theoretical knowledge but limited experience in turning ideas into income-generating ventures.

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‎Graham Ekoh, Senior Manager of Projects and Partnerships at Miva Open University, said the initiative goes beyond software access and focuses on business creation. He stated that students would be able to move from an idea to a product and then from product to revenue using one integrated platform.

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‎Gebeya Chief Executive Officer Amadou Daffe said the goal is to remove barriers that have historically slowed innovation among young Africans. According to him, students often lack funding, technical teams, or startup support, and the platform is designed to reduce those obstacles.

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‎Miva Open University has already shown rapid growth. BusinessDay reported earlier this year that the institution had surpassed 20,000 enrolled students since launching in May 2023, indicating strong demand for flexible, technology-driven higher education in Nigeria.

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‎The programme also includes a Dala Studio Ambassador Initiative, where selected students will lead peer workshops, promote AI literacy, and mentor others on campus communities. This peer-led model is intended to scale impact beyond formal classrooms.

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‎Nigeria has one of Africa’s youngest populations, with a fast-growing digital economy and startup ecosystem. However, unemployment and underemployment among graduates remain persistent concerns. Supporters of the initiative say entrepreneurship training linked to AI tools could help students create freelance income, launch startups, or improve job readiness.

‎Education analysts increasingly view practical technology partnerships as essential to modern higher education. Rather than relying solely on lectures and exams, universities are being pushed to deliver skills tied directly to the labor market.

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‎If successful, the Dala Studio–Miva partnership could become a model for other African universities seeking to combine learning, innovation, and enterprise creation. It also reflects a broader shift: universities are no longer only preparing students for jobs;they are preparing them to create jobs.

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