Navigating the complexities of university admissions can be quite tiring for many students, but Olusola Somuyiwa, co-founder and CEO of VersityEdge, is making use of artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify the process. His edtech startup provides AI-driven guidance, helping students identify the best pathways to secure admission into higher institutions. Somuyiwa’s inspiration for launching VersityEdge rose from his passion for education and empathy for students struggling to gain admission despite their academic potential.
Reflecting on his own experience, Somuyiwa shared that “In 2018, I secured admission to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan. Out of 148 graduates from my secondary school, I was the only one admitted. I met my co-founder, who had been trying to gain admission since 2015. Through her experiences, I saw firsthand the struggles students faced on their admission journey.” Determined to understand the barriers preventing students from securing university placements, he and his co-founder collected data and conducted extensive research.
They discovered numerous cases of academically qualified students missing out on opportunities due to misguided choices and lack of strategic planning. One particularly striking case was that of a 22-year-old student from southeastern Nigeria, who had spent five years applying to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Despite scoring 338 in JAMB, she was repeatedly unsuccessful. “I asked to see her O’level results, and right away, I knew she couldn’t secure admission into UNILAG for her chosen course. She was frustrated, but I offered a free consultation, analyzed her academic profile, and suggested 10 alternative universities where she had a much higher chance of getting in. That moment sparked the idea for VersityEdge—an AI-driven platform to automate and scale this process,” Somuyiwa explained.
Somuyiwa, a graduate of the Clinton Global Initiative University, where he specialized in admission-related projects, recognized the need for technology-driven solutions to tackle admission challenges. “Over the years, I have mentored and guided over 700 students through the admission process. At VersityEdge, our AI algorithms analyze a student’s academic history, strengths, and aspirations, then cross-reference this data with historical admission trends across multiple institutions. This allows us to provide personalized strategies that significantly increase a student’s chances of gaining admission,” he explained.
In addition to admission predictions, VersityEdge provides a comprehensive learning environment, offering daily live classes, curated study materials and AI-powered mock examinations that assess knowledge gaps and adjust learning paths accordingly.
“Our AI-driven exams don’t just test knowledge—they identify weaknesses and adjust the learning experience to help students improve in real time,” he noted. Despite launching VersityEdge in 2023 with zero capital, the startup quickly gained propulsion. Initially, it functioned as an impact-driven project aimed at guiding University of Ibadan aspirants. However, Somuyiwa and his team soon realized that despite their guidance, some students still struggled to secure admission. “We analyzed why this was happening and introduced past questions, live classes, and study materials. This led to a 90% admission success rate, and we generated our first million naira in under two months,” he revealed.
According to Somuyiwa, VersityEdge offers unique features that differentiate it from competitors which are; its admission insights & predictive analysis (which helps students assess their chances of admission before applying), personalized exam preparation (helping students receive targeted support based on their strengths and weaknesses) and a parent dashboard (which offers a real-time monitoring system that allows parents to track their child’s progress and receive weekly reports).
“We don’t just help students prepare for exams—we guide them strategically to maximize their chances of admission,” Somuyiwa stated.
VersityEdge is scaling its operations across multiple institutions, with a focus on preparing more students for the 2025 admissions cycle. The long-term vision includes expansion into other African markets, making university admissions more accessible across the continent.
However, funding remains a major challenge. “We are actively applying for grants and pitching to angel investors to secure funding for expansion. Another challenge is finding and onboarding the right talent to scale our impact,” he explained. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Somuyiwa’s advice is clear, “Challenges will come, but your vision and resilience will keep you going. Stay focused on why you started your business in the first place.”
With artificial intelligence, strategic mentorship, and data-driven insights, VersityEdge is revolutionizing the university admission process—turning academic dreams into reality.
