For Suleiman Muniru, an educator, technology entrepreneur and software developer from Kogi State, the journey from identifying challenges in education to building an artificial intelligence-powered learning solution has been shaped by curiosity, persistence and opportunity.
Muniru, Founder and CEO of Shynesoft Technologies Limited, developed Inaya LSA, which stands for Local Studies Assistant, to provide learners with personalised support using their own study materials. The AI-powered virtual home teacher combines voice, text and localised learning to help students better understand what they are taught. His journey gained significant momentum through the 3MTT programme, which he says strengthened his existing passion for technology, gave him the confidence to pursue his ideas and connected him with a community of young Nigerians building solutions to real-world problems.
After winning the 3MTT NextGen Knowledge Showcase and progressing through the iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab, Muniru is now taking Inaya LSA to London through the NextGen Innovation Challenge, marking another step in his ambition to build a bilingual AI home-tutoring platform capable of serving learners across Africa.
Tell us about Suleiman Muniru
My name is Suleiman Muniru, a technology entrepreneur, software developer, and founder and CEO of Shynesoft Technologies Limited. I have over a decade of experience in software development and studied computer science at the Federal University Lokoja.
My passion has always been centred on using technology to solve real-world problems, particularly challenges affecting people in my community and the education sector.
However, my journey took a significant turn when I became part of the 3MTT programme. 3MTT did not create my passion for technology; it strengthened it. It gave me an environment where I could learn, connect with other young Nigerians, showcase my ideas and begin to see that the problems I wanted to solve could become real technology solutions.
That experience played a major role in bringing Inaya LSA to life and setting me on the path I am on today.
What sparked your interest in technology and innovation?
My interest in technology started with curiosity about how technology could be used to solve everyday problems. Over the years, that curiosity developed into a passion for building solutions. I would say, however, that the 3MTT programme significantly strengthened that passion. Before 3MTT, I was already building and experimenting with technology, but the programme gave me a stronger sense of purpose and exposed me to a community of people who were also trying to solve real problems. It made me realise that being a technology developer is not just about writing code. It is about identifying a problem, understanding the people affected by it and building something that can genuinely improve their lives.
That mindset became very important in the development of Inaya LSA.
How did Inaya LSA come about?
The idea behind Inaya LSA came from my experience in education and from seeing students struggle to understand what they were being taught, particularly when there was a gap between the language of instruction and the language they were more comfortable using.
I had already been thinking about how technology could help address some of these challenges, but the 3MTT programme gave me the environment and encouragement to take those thoughts more seriously.
Being part of 3MTT strengthened my passion for building technology that solves African problems. It pushed me to move from simply having an idea to thinking about how that idea could become something real.
That was an important part of the journey that brought Inaya LSA to life.
Inaya LSA, which stands for Local Studies Assistant, is an AI-powered virtual home teacher designed to give learners more personalised support using their own study materials. It combines AI, voice, text and localised learning to make it easier for students to understand what they are learning.
For me, Inaya is not just an AI product. It is the expression of a passion that was strengthened through 3MTT and transformed into a solution I could actually build and put in the hands of learners.
What was your 3MTT experience like?
3MTT was a very important chapter in my journey.
I would describe it as a catalyst. My passion for technology and problem-solving was already there, but 3MTT strengthened that passion and gave me the confidence to think bigger about what I could build. The programme connected me with other young Nigerians who were learning, building and solving problems with technology. It created an environment where I could test my ideas, learn from others, receive encouragement and begin to see myself not just as a developer, but as someone capable of building solutions that could have a wider impact.
Winning the 3MTT NextGen Knowledge Showcase was a particularly memorable moment. But beyond the award, the greatest value for me was what the experience unlocked. It helped me move from having an idea to pursuing it seriously.
In many ways, 3MTT helped bring Inaya LSA to life. It strengthened the passion behind the idea, gave me the confidence to pursue it and opened the door to opportunities that followed.
The journey after 3MTT eventually led me to the iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab, where I gained another important perspective on building Inaya as a startup.
What happened at Founders Lab?
My journey to the iDICE Startup Bridge Founders Lab was a continuation of what started with 3MTT.
I competed among more than 18,000 submissions and eventually progressed through the programme to the Top 185, Top 50 Base Grant stage and Top 10 Top-Up Grant stage.
One of the biggest lessons was that having good technology is only one part of building a successful startup.
As a technical founder, I naturally focused heavily on the product and the technology. Founders Lab challenged me to think more deeply about customers, validation, business models, market opportunities, sustainability and communicating the value of what I was building.
So, if 3MTT strengthened my passion and helped me bring the idea of Inaya LSA to life, Founders Lab helped me understand how to turn that solution into a stronger and more sustainable startup.
That progression has been very important to me.
What does ‘going to London’ mean to you?
Taking Inaya LSA to London through the NextGen Innovation Challenge is another important milestone in a journey that started with a passion for technology and was significantly strengthened by 3MTT.
Coming from Kogi State, it means a lot to see an idea developed from my experiences and observations in Nigeria receive the opportunity to be presented on an international stage.
I see London as an opportunity to showcase what Nigerian innovators are capable of, learn from other innovators, build relationships, receive international feedback and explore opportunities for Inaya LSA to grow beyond Nigeria.
But personally, it is also a reminder of how far the journey has come.
From having an idea to joining 3MTT, winning the NextGen Knowledge Showcase, developing Inaya LSA, going through Founders Lab and now taking the product to an international platform, the journey has shown me what can happen when passion is supported by opportunity, learning, persistence and action.
What is your long-term vision?
My long-term vision is to build Inaya LSA into one of the most impactful bilingual AI home-tutoring platforms across Africa.
I want Inaya to help learners move beyond simply studying for examinations and instead develop deeper understanding, curiosity, creativity and the confidence to solve problems.
We are starting from Nigeria, but the opportunity is much bigger. Across Africa, there are millions of learners who face challenges with access to personalised tutoring, affordability, learning resources and language barriers.
My journey has taught me that great ideas do not always need to start with abundant resources. Sometimes, they start with passion, a problem you deeply care about and the courage to begin.
That is what 3MTT meant to me. It strengthened something that was already inside me and gave me an environment to develop it.
So, my message to young Nigerians is: do not underestimate the idea you have today simply because you do not yet have all the resources to build it. Start where you are. Learn. Build. Participate. Seek opportunities from the numerous programmes provided by the government and external organisations and keep improving.
My own journey from an idea to Inaya LSA is proof to me that the right opportunity can strengthen a person’s passion and help turn an idea into something real.
“3MTT did not create my passion for technology; it strengthened it, gave me the confidence and environment to pursue it, and ultimately helped me bring Inaya LSA to life.”
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