The founder of Lesson360, ESV Ekweoba Arnold Chukwuebuka, has received the 2026 Nelson Mandela Impact Makers Award, adding a major recognition to his growing profile across education technology, entrepreneurship, innovation and humanitarian work.
Chukwuebuka was honoured during a private investiture held in Abuja on August 3, 2026, where he was inducted into the Diamond Class of the award.
The recognition was presented by the Professional Public Speaking and Leadership Academy, PPSLA Africa, in partnership with the African Award Group. Family members, associates and representatives of the organisations were present at the ceremony.
According to the organisers, the award reflects Chukwuebuka’s contributions to enterprise development, youth empowerment, education, innovation, humanitarian intervention and sustainable development.
The ceremony also featured a keynote address by PPSLA Africa Director-General, Dr Lotanna Okoye, who spoke about the importance of impact-driven leadership and the need for African entrepreneurs and leaders to build people, institutions and legacies that can endure beyond their individual achievements.
For Chukwuebuka, the honour comes at a time when education technology is receiving increasing attention as Nigeria and other African countries look for practical ways to expand access to learning through digital tools.
From Entrepreneurship to Education Technology
Chukwuebuka’s entrepreneurial journey reportedly began in 2015, when he established Arnold & Associates Group while still an undergraduate. The company has subsequently developed interests across several sectors, including real estate, construction, dredging, renewable energy and education technology.
His work in education technology has placed Lesson360 among the initiatives through which he is seeking to use digital technology to improve access to educational resources.
Lesson360 is designed as a digital learning platform that connects learners with educational content, reflecting the wider movement towards technology-enabled learning in Nigeria.
That shift is particularly significant in a country where access to quality educational resources remains uneven. Digital learning platforms can provide students with opportunities to access materials beyond the traditional classroom, while giving educators additional ways to support teaching and learning.
Chukwuebuka’s interests, however, extend beyond education technology. His business activities have included property development, with projects associated with his real estate ventures particularly across South-East Nigeria.
He has also ventured into renewable energy through Arnold & Associates Energy, with interests in solar power solutions. This comes against the backdrop of persistent electricity challenges and rising interest in alternative energy sources for households and businesses.
His wider activities have consequently positioned him at the intersection of business, technology, education and social development.
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Beyond Business: Youth, Culture and Community Impact
What makes the latest recognition broader than an entrepreneurial award is the range of activities attributed to Chukwuebuka outside his commercial interests.
The award organisers highlighted his reported involvement in youth empowerment, including employment, mentorship and business opportunities. His interventions have also reportedly included scholarships and housing support for widows.
Another notable part of his work has been his interest in preserving Igbo language and culture through digital platforms.
Among the initiatives associated with him are 360 Akụkọ Na Egwu Igbo and Mụta Asụsụ Igbo TV. The platforms focus on Igbo stories, folklore, traditional songs, language and cultural education, with particular attention to younger audiences.
This approach is worth noting because technology is increasingly becoming more than a tool for business and formal education. For many young Africans, digital platforms are also becoming important spaces for preserving languages, documenting cultural experiences and passing indigenous knowledge to another generation.
By combining education, technology and cultural preservation, the initiatives associated with Chukwuebuka demonstrate how digital platforms can be used for purposes that go beyond conventional commercial applications.
Back Story: Why the Recognition Matters
The Nelson Mandela Impact Makers Award comes at an interesting point for Nigeria’s technology and education sectors. Across the country, entrepreneurs and innovators are increasingly exploring ways to use technology to address problems in education, energy, employment and social development.
Lesson360 fits into this changing landscape by focusing on digital access to learning resources, while its founder’s wider interests span several areas of national development.
Chukwuebuka’s story also reflects a growing trend among Nigerian entrepreneurs who are building businesses across multiple sectors while using technology to pursue social objectives.
The 2026 Mandela Impact Makers Award therefore places renewed attention on his activities in education technology and other areas of impact. It also highlights the increasing expectation that entrepreneurship should not be measured only by commercial success, but also by the opportunities, knowledge and social value it creates.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges around education access, youth unemployment, energy and sustainable development, initiatives that combine enterprise with technology and community intervention are likely to remain important.
For Lesson360 and its founder, the latest honour provides another moment in the journey, while placing a brighter spotlight on the role education technology can play in shaping opportunities for Nigerian learners and young people.
The award, according to reports, adds to the recognition associated with Chukwuebuka, whose activities continue to span real estate, education technology, renewable energy, youth development, cultural preservation and humanitarian service.
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