In Northern Nigeria, language barriers, outdated teaching methods, and low technology adoption leave many school students struggling to learn effectively. Breni, a new startup is ready to change that.
While global edtech platforms exist, few are tailored to the realities of learners in this region. That’s the gap Breni, an AI-powered learning app founded by Abubakar Sadiq Umar and Bilal Abdullahi, is stepping in to fill.
“There is this educational dilemma that 21st century kids or students are being taught by 20th century teachers using 19th century curriculum on an 18thcentury calendar,” Umar told Techpoint Africa.
Launched in August 2025, Breni is designed to make learning accessible, personalised, and engaging, using artificial intelligence to adapt lessons to each student’s language, style, and pace.
What You Should Know
The co-founders first crossed paths while studying computer science at Yusuf Maitama Sule University in Kano. After graduation, both joined Nigerian fintech company Kayi; Umar as a senior business analyst and Abdullahi as a software and AI engineer.
In 2024, they left the fintech world behind, betting instead on the untapped potential of Nigeria’s growing $400 million edtech market, which has surged nearly 50% in just a year.
The pair officially launched Breni in August 2025. In less than two months, the AI-powered learning app has attracted over 3,000 users across 20 countries, though surprisingly, 90% of them are outside Nigeria.
How Breni Works
Breni is designed to make learning personalized, gamified, and accessible. The team says the AI-powered tools break down lessons into short, digestible modules, while features like streaks, quizzes, and leaderboards keep users motivated.
“The app employs cognitive science and technologies that social media platforms use to keep users engaged. Its spaced repetition revisits concepts at proven intervals for memory so learners don’t forget past learnings,” Umar explained.
Key features include:
- AI-generated courses tailored to each user’s profile (age, experience, language, and learning style).
- Multi-language access, from Hausa to French, Spanish, and over 100 global languages.
- Flexibility, allowing users to set reminders and schedule classes at their convenience.
- Freemium model, where ads support free access, while premium subscriptions start as low as $1 in Nigeria and scale to $5 internationally.
“Users can learn in Hausa, Spanish, French, and more. The app is not limited to traditional subjects and courses alone; users can learn anything from how to cook rice to coding,” Umar says.
Built for Northern Nigeria, Adopted Worldwide
While Breni was designed with the challenges of Northern Nigerian learners in mind, its traction has been strongest in unexpected geographies.
The team says Nepal accounts for 40% of Breni’s total users, with Russia, Nigeria, and countries like Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Canada, and the UK also contributing.
Much of this adoption came through user referrals and the founders’ international contacts. Still, Umar acknowledges the difficulties of building in Northern Nigeria.
“Building in Africa is already tough, but building in Nigeria is even tougher. And building in Northern Nigeria is ten times harder. There’s a mindset gap when it comes to startups and technology adoption.”
Despite these hurdles, the region is slowly witnessing the growth of tech hubs and incubators that could nurture more startups like Breni.
What This Means
Breni’s founders believe the future of education is not about rigid curriculums, but about meeting learners where they are; linguistically, culturally, and technologically.
Nigeria’s edtech sector is experiencing rapid growth, with the market valued at $400 million in 2025. The edtech market is crowded, with giants like Coursera, Duolingo, uLesson and Ubongo leading the pack. But Breni differentiates itself by focusing on:
- AI-powered personalization rather than rigid, pre-recorded content.
- Gamification, making learning both fun and addictive.
- Ultra-low subscriptions, undercutting global rivals that charge $10–$15 monthly.
Industry leaders say this mix gives Breni a fighting chance in underserved markets and helps explain its traction in non-traditional territories.
According to experts, if Breni can scale its user base and refine its monetization, it could become one of the most important edtech success stories to emerge from Northern Nigeria.
Talking Points
It is significant that Breni is tackling education in Northern Nigeria with an AI-powered learning app tailored to different languages and learning styles. This directly addresses barriers such as slow assimilation and limited access to technology.
By integrating AI-generated courses, gamification, and multilingual access, Breni positions itself as more than just another edtech platform, it is building a model of personalised learning that reflects how today’s students actually absorb information.
At Techparley, we see Breni’s approach as a fresh attempt to close education gaps that traditional schools and global edtech players often overlook. Its traction in countries like Nepal and Russia also shows the universal relevance of personalised learning.
However, scaling will require strong user retention strategies, deeper penetration into Nigeria, partnerships with schools, state governments, and development agencies.
With the right investment and mentorship, Breni has the potential to emerge as one of Nigeria’s most important edtech success stories, bridging not only a local learning gap but also carving out a place in the global edtech landscape.
