When Anjolaoluwa Ajayi, the founder of ACAD AI, received a 91% score on her undergraduate research project, it wasn’t just a personal achievement—it marked the beginning of a revolutionary EdTech solution.
That project has since evolved into ACAD AI, an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to address one of education’s oldest and most frustrating challenges: grading theory-based exams quickly, fairly, and transparently.
Titled “A Novel Large Language Model System for Objectively Grading Computer-Based Theory Tests,” the project started as a response to a shared pain point among students and teachers—slow grading, inconsistent scoring, and the risk of misplaced or forgotten scripts. With a passion for data science and artificial intelligence, Anjolaoluwa took the bold step of exploring how AI could radically improve this process.
Over several months, she dove into extensive research, consulted with lecturers, collaborated with her group members Crystal and Tomiwa, and iterated on early prototypes. With the guidance of supervisors Dr. Oyebola Akande and Mr. Seyi, the idea matured into a robust system capable of evaluating student-written answers with both precision and speed.
To bring the vision to life, Anjolaoluwa assembled and led a team of experienced developers, designers, and analysts. Together, they built what is now ACAD AI—a groundbreaking platform many now recognize as Africa’s first AI-powered grading engine for theory-based examinations.
The results have been remarkable. In internal tests, ACAD AI graded 500 student scripts in under 200 seconds, achieving 100% accuracy and zero cases of prompt manipulation or security breaches. The platform also includes critical anti-malpractice features: if a student leaves the exam tab twice, they’re logged out and the teacher receives an instant alert. Additionally, exam questions are protected by end-to-end encryption, preventing leaks and maintaining exam integrity.
But it doesn’t stop there. ACAD AI provides detailed, structured feedback to students, offering them insights into their performance while preserving the role of teachers in the assessment process. Teachers benefit from streamlined workflows, faster grading, and increased accuracy—freeing up valuable time for instruction and mentorship.
Early Adoption and Rave Reviews
Teachers at Babcock University, Caleb University, and several other institutions have already adopted ACAD AI, and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Testimonials From Some Early Users
Mr. Amos Awoniyi (Software Engineering): “Acad AI is built on a deep understanding of the challenges in grading. It offers students a clear breakdown of their grades and also provides actionable insights to help them improve their responses, while maintaining the essential role of educators in the assessment process.”
Mr. Obumneme Ukandu (Computer Science Lecturer): “I was particularly pleased with Acad AI’s ability to generate questions from my lesson notes. The platform significantly enhances productivity and streamlines several academic processes, making it a valuable asset for both instructors and institutions.”
Dr. Chinedu Eti (Political Science and Public Administration): “Acad AI is a very smart tool that simplifies tasks for lecturers. From setting of questions to grading, Acad AI is your to-go tool. My academic tasks have become much easier. I recommend Acad AI to both lecturers and students.”
Mr. Sylvester (Vice Principal, Carissa Hills School): “We’ve seen many exam platforms before, but Acad AI really stands out. I appreciate how it prevents and reports cheating in real time. The platform is well thought-out, easy to use, and very helpful. I strongly believe every school should start using it.”
Dr. Ayodeji Ajibade (Finance Lecturer): “I used Acad AI to conduct an examination last weekend, and I was truly impressed. I chose the ‘not strict’ option for the assessment and the theory grading was just fine. I plan to test the ‘strict’ mode next. From my experience, it was really nice.”
Recognition and the Road Ahead
ACAD AI’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. The platform recently received a $5,000 grant from SendPulse, a global communication platform, to help scale its outreach. This funding will support enhanced email automation, allowing the team to reach more schools, educators, and students.
What began as a final-year university project is now a promising AI solution with continental relevance. As Africa continues to embrace technology-driven education, ACAD AI stands as a testament to what is possible when innovation meets purpose.
With continued support from the tech and education ecosystems, Anjolaoluwa Ajayi’s vision could soon reshape classrooms not just in Nigeria, but across the continent—and perhaps, the world.
