Two Nigerian innovators, Abubakar Sadiq Umar and Bilal Abdullahi, are drawing global attention to Northern Nigeria’s tech ecosystem with Breni, an artificial intelligence-powered education app designed to make learning more personal and engaging.
Unlike conventional online education platforms that rely on pre-recorded courses, Breni adapts lessons to users’ learning styles, languages, and levels of experience. The app, launched in August 2025, already has more than 3,000 users across 20 countries, with 90% of them outside Nigeria.
The founders, both Computer Science graduates of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, previously worked at the Nigerian fintech firm Kayi before launching Breni. The platform uses cognitive science and gamification tools such as quizzes, leaderboards, and streaks to make learning interactive and fun.
Users can learn in over 100 languages, including Hausa, French, and Spanish, and choose subjects ranging from science and coding to cooking.
Operating on a freemium model, Breni earns revenue through ads and low-cost subscriptions starting from $1 in Nigeria. Despite being new in a competitive global edtech market, the app’s AI-driven, multilingual, and gamified approach is positioning it as one of the most promising learning platforms emerging from Africa.
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