Netflix for Education anyone?
The year 2016 was memorable for many reasons but here is one of them: I got selected for the TEF class of 2016 to build an education…
The year 2016 was memorable for many reasons but here is one of them: I got selected for the TEF class of 2016 to build an education solution in Nigeria. But as we went on, the challenges began to pile up and our business plan floundered. Eventually, after several attempts in 2017, we shut down operations in January 2018. That was to be the end of ChatClass NG for good or so we thought.
Lessons learned.
It’s okay to fail. I remember telling a friend (special shout-out to Nkemdilim Begho of Future Software Nigeria Resources Ltd) when the list for the TEF 2017 was released that I felt bad because my business hadn't “hammered” yet. I wanted to carry shoulders up and “show myself” to TEF class of 2017 and later. Yimmu at myself now. Nkem laughed and said, “It’s okay to fail, learn and move on.”
Unless you’re God or some deity, business plans in Nigeria are assumptions i.e they are someone’s best guess about predicting the future. You probably didn’t get the memo but the people with the crystal glass in Nigeria are protesting non-payments of salaries. When if they wanted to help you sef, there is no light. Deal with it. You are in Nigeria, the only skill/ plan you need for your business is adaptation with immediate alacrity.
Ask for help, it will not kill you (read this in a typical Nigerian mother’s voice preferably in yoruba for effect).
Fast-forward to June 2018, President Emmanuel Macron flew in Lagos, Nigeria for an interactive session with Tony Elumelu and several other TEF entrepreneurs alongside several dignitaries. At the event, I ran into Dr Ola Brown (Orekunrin) who was surprised to learn that I had been funded in 2016. She wondered why I rarely ever talked about the fact that I was selected by TEF in 2016 despite our interactions. She left me with some advice particularly how I shouldn't keep hiding the fact that I was selected and when I left speaking with her, several ideas popped into my head as well. Based on this conversation I started to see things from a different perspective to solve the problems that forced us to close earlier. Today, we are happy to announce @chatclassng is back in business! 😊.
What exactly does @chatclassng do? Think of it as Netflix but for learning.
A platform where anybody can share their knowledge on anything for as long as they want and where anyone can learn anything from anyone for as long as they want.
Users pay a tiny fee for access to all the rooms and content like netflix. This fee is valid for as long as they dont leave the platform. If they leave, they will need to pay another fee to be re-added. There is also an announcement board open to the public to share updates about ChatClass NG as we go along.
How exactly is ChatClass NG different from all the other e-learning platforms on the internet?
All learning sessions are live. This means that there is a tutor/ teacher present in every class session and its not a prerecorded content like it exists on the internet. This also means there is more interaction and engagement in each class.
We are building ChatClass NG strictly on a mobile messaging platform so that (i) regardless of network situations like GPRS/ EDGE, you should be able to connect; (ii). Data can be pricey and we believe learning shouldn't drain your data and (iii). Majority of people already use these platforms.
We currently have learning sessions on Managing Depression, Event Planning and Youtube Influencer marketing. Interested in learning or teaching? Click here.
In other news….
We are shopping for a new co-founder. We would prefer a lady but guys are welcome. We need someone who is willing and able to teach anything and everything. Oh and nobody is getting paid yet. You will be paid in equity. You will need to have a phone and PC that is whatsapp/ telegram compatible, power and internet to teach. Interested? Click here.
