The latest edition of the Sterling Leadership Series (SLS) was one for the books. With thought leader and serial entrepreneur Sim Shagaya as guest, the conversation dug deep into education, technology, resilience, and what it really means to build for Africa.
Here are 10 lessons from Sim Shagaya’s session that stood out:
1. Your “why” should guide your path
Sim’s career may look like a zigzag: e-commerce, education, farming, but he explained that his “why” has stayed consistent: building systems that elevate society. The fields may change, but the mission is constant.
2. Skills expire fast: focus on “meta skills”
According to him, “the world where you learned something and did it repeatedly for the rest of your life is over.” Instead, develop meta skills like humility, curiosity, and adaptability that feed other skills and keep you relevant.
3. Education is no longer about certificates
“Being educated today is measured by execution.” For Sim, the value of learning shows up in what you can build, not the paper you hold. His advice: reduce distractions, especially on social media, and channel more time into productivity.
4. Technology will outpace traditional classrooms
Education systems often resist change, but technology moves fast. At his startup Miva, students learn by building things, not just memorizing. He believes classrooms must embrace that same pace.
5. AI is not optional in education
Sim believes AI must be part of how students learn. His team is already using AI voices of experts as tutors, making quality education more accessible and personalized.
6. Resilience is key to turning knowledge into impact
Not everyone is built to be an entrepreneur. But for those who take that road, Sim says you’ll need resilience, patience to be misunderstood, and a strong team. “Failure is such a powerful source of data,” he reflected from personal experience.
7. Do the opposite of the crowd
When asked about AI and human thinking, Sim warned against blind passion. His advice: “Go where nobody is. If people are moving in one direction, do something different.” For him, agriculture and education remain some of the most underexplored, high-potential areas.
8. Education should be more African
At Miva, the curriculum is designed with African studies and AI trained to sound more indigenous. For him, it’s not just about teaching knowledge: it’s about grounding it in identity.
9. Teachers must shift roles
“Instead of being a sage on the stage, you should be a guide by the side.” Educators, he stressed, should encourage young people to lead, speak, and create, not just listen.
10. Solving out-of-school challenges requires creativity
Sim admitted some states may continue to lag behind on education access. His solution? AI tutors that democratize learning. Still, he believes human teachers remain irreplaceable. And in his words, “the best way to predict the future is to build it.”
In closing, Abubakar Suleiman, Sterling Bank CEO, urged young Nigerians to recognize the country’s transition. “Despite all the difficulties, Nigeria is on the rise,” he said, stressing that the next generation is better equipped to build. His call to action: rather than chase greener pastures abroad, stay and help shape Nigeria’s future.
Last Thoughts
The session with Sim Shagaya was a timely reminder that education, resilience, and innovation are not abstract ideals: they are building blocks for the Nigeria we want. Beyond the plenty grammar, it all boils down to one truth: the future will not be handed to us; we have to build it.
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