Gossy Ukanwoke was born to a teacher father and a pharmacist mother in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria where he studied at the Living Word Academy Secondary school. He later obtained a bachelor’s degree in management information systems at Girne American University, Cyprus in 2013. In 2010, while still attending university, Gossy founded the Students Circle Network, an academic social networking service meant to help teachers, students, and institutions to connect, which led ITNews Africa to name him “Africa’s Best Tech Entrepreneur” the next year. After completing his university studies, Gossy founded BAU Research and Development, through BAU he founded Beni American University, the first online university in Nigeria, with the goal of helping to equip students with the skills they need to graduate without the boundaries of a physical learning environment. Later, Gossy launched the Alistair Maine Group to invest in leisure, hospitality, and lifestyle in Lagos. He later was named the Managing Director of Nigeria’s sports betting company, BetKing. Throughout his career Gossy has spoken on entrepreneurship panels, given large keynote addresses, and been invited to speak at a business conference on Africa by the Harvard Business School. Gossy Ukanwoke’s dedication to the improvement of education in Africa as well as his other business endeavors has earned him many accolades and awards including Best Graduating student from Girne American University, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Finalist of Young CEO of the Year 2016 award by the Africa CEO Forum, Forbes 30 Most Promising Entrepreneurs 2018, Finalist at Future Awards, and Global Shakers 50 African Innovators to watch.
It’s great to see an individual that is so capable in entrepreneurship and uses his experience to not only do well in the business world but also to work towards improving education in his country.
