By Damiete Braide
In an era where digital transformation is redefining the future of education, Ayobami Ayeni, Co-founder of Ocelot Limited, stands out as a visionary technologist whose work is actively reshaping the academic experience of thousands of Nigerian students.
Since the launch of the NOVA Platform in 2020, Ayeni’s innovative edtech solution has revolutionized how secondary school students prepare for critical national exams—including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), General Certificate of Education (GCE), and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations. Designed to close Nigeria’s persistent educational access gap, especially in underserved communities, NOVA provides cross-platform digital tools that empower students with personalized learning experiences, simulated exams, and AI-based feedback mechanisms.
A Game-Changer in Exam Preparation
What distinguishes NOVA is its locally contextualized interface, designed to reflect actual national examination environments. Students can engage with real-time quizzes, access curriculum-aligned content, and receive smart diagnostic feedback, all accessible via mobile and desktop platforms, with offline functionality for remote users.
The numbers speak volumes. Over 58,000 registered students across 28 states in Nigeria have actively used the platform between 2020 and 2022, demonstrating widespread acceptance and engagement. Participating schools have reported an average pass rate improvement of 35%, with some institutions recording up to a 50% increase in first-attempt success in national exams. Furthermore, NOVA has been integrated as a key learning aid in more than 120 schools, both public and private, significantly expanding its educational impact.
Principals Speak: “NOVA is Transformative”
Educational leaders are echoing the platform’s tangible impact. Mrs. Shade Ige, Principal of Federal Government Boys College, Garki Abuja, emphasized its utility, stating:
“The NOVA Platform has been transformational in our students’ academic journey. It helped our SS3 candidates understand exam patterns, manage time, and reinforce core concepts. In 2021 alone, we recorded a 43% increase in students achieving 5 credits and above in WAEC compared to 2019.”
From Ogun State, Mr. Sayo Ebilakun, Principal of Egba Comprehensive High School in Abeokuta, added his endorsement:
“Our students using NOVA showed remarkable improvement in JAMB and NECO scores. The app’s compatibility with low-cost smartphones made it accessible to students in financially challenged communities. NOVA is breaking the digital divide in education.”
Innovation Beyond Access
Beyond exam prep, NOVA integrates features that promote academic advising, mental wellness, and career exploration, components Ayeni and his team believe are critical to holistic student development. The platform includes academic planner tools, real-time performance dashboards for teachers and parents, mock exam simulations with instant scoring, AI-driven learning recommendations, and counselor-assisted guidance features. Ayeni’s work is further distinguished by its grassroots impact. NOVA’s multilingual interface, offline support, and inclusive design principles directly address digital inequality, making education more accessible to Nigeria’s most vulnerable learners.
National Recognition
NOVA’s success has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, Ayeni was featured in The Guardian and Vanguard Newspapers for his groundbreaking role in democratizing access to educational technology in Nigeria. His innovations through Ocelot Limited continue to be acknowledged as part of Nigeria’s growing digital education transformation.
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria grapples with challenges in educational equity and digital inclusion, Ayeni’s NOVA Platform offers a working model of how local innovation can solve local problems at scale. His contribution goes beyond coding software, it touches classrooms, elevates futures, and redefines what’s possible when technology meets vision.
Mr. Ayobami Ayeni continues to lead with purpose and technical excellence, affirming his status as a tech innovator of national relevance and global potential.
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