Firm Tackles University Learning Gaps With AI Innovation

Education technology firm, ProjKonnect, has launched an artificial intelligence-powered academic platform, Gemnex App, integrated with WhatsApp, as part of efforts to address learning gaps in Nigerian universities and improve students’ access to quality academic support.

The launch comes amid persistent challenges in the country’s tertiary education system, including overcrowded classrooms, poor lecturer-to-student ratios, rising internet costs and weak digital infrastructure, which have continued to affect students’ learning experiences.

ProjKonnect said the AI-powered platform was developed to provide students with easier access to academic materials and personalised learning support, particularly for those struggling with difficult courses and limited access to lecturers.

Founder of ProjKonnect, Paul Ojo, said the initiative was conceived to bridge structural gaps in Nigeria’s education system that continue to limit students’ academic potential.

According to him, the company believes many students have the intellectual capacity to excel but are constrained by inadequate access to learning resources and support systems.

“The fundamental rationale behind the creation of the Gemnex App is to democratise access to educational resources for the future leaders of the nation. The question has never been whether Nigerian students are intellectually capable of succeeding despite the challenges they face.

“The real question is whether they have seamless access to the support they need to understand their courses and build the confidence required to pursue professional opportunities after graduation. Through Gemnex, our goal is to make education more accessible,” Ojo said.

He noted that the platform leverages artificial intelligence to provide instant academic assistance while its integration with WhatsApp enables students to access learning support using a familiar platform.

The company said the WhatsApp integration was specifically designed to reduce barriers created by unreliable internet connectivity and the high cost of mobile data, which continue to hinder access to digital learning tools.

Partnership Manager at ProjKonnect, Onisabi Habeeb, said affordability and accessibility were major considerations in the development of the platform.

“The sole objective for developing the Gemnex App was to eliminate the need for students to choose between obtaining high-quality academic support and the financial implications of maintaining an internet connection.

“The WhatsApp-integrated learning channel enables students to seek guidance on course-specific questions without the added complications of unreliable network connectivity or restricted mobile data availability. This innovation helps address accessibility barriers commonly experienced by students within the Nigerian educational landscape,” he said.

The launch also comes as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is consulting stakeholders on a framework that could allow students to access selected educational platforms without incurring data charges, a move expected to further expand access to digital learning resources across the country.