Nigerian content creator and singer, Lawal Michael Nasiru Bolaji, popularly known as Nasboi, has reacted to the debate following Nigerian rapper Ycee’s remarks concerning the state of education and internet culture in Nigeria.

Recall that during a recent appearance on the Afropolitan Podcast, Ycee criticised what he termed a growing “Olodo uprising” and the emergence of a “Peller culture,” suggesting that Nigerian society is increasingly de-emphasising academic excellence in favour of mediocrity.

Ycee’s comments, which referenced popular TikTok creator Peller, have ignited different reactions online. In his critique, Ycee stated, “Nigerian society is no longer celebrating academic excellence. It’s not even Yahoo culture anymore; now we have a ‘Peller culture.’ This ‘Olodo’ uprising we are witnessing is terrible. It feels like we are trying so hard to accommodate ignorance so people won’t feel bad, and now they seem to be the majority.”

In response to this, content creator and singer Nasboi shared a perspective that reframes the concept of an Olodo uprising.

In a series of Instagram posts, Nasboi argued that the term should perhaps be viewed as a compliment rather than an insult. He emphasised that he is a strong believer in education and does not support the narrative that school is a scam. However, he urged for honesty regarding the current socio-economic realities in Nigeria, noting that the educational system often fails to provide the opportunities that graduates need to survive. Nasboi further noted that while traditional paths like education are valuable, the internet has created unprecedented opportunities for young Nigerians to earn honest incomes.

He said, “For many people, the internet has opened doors that traditional employment never could.” Reflecting on Peller’s journey, he urged the public to appreciate the young creator’s success rather than mock his background.

“Instead of framing the Olodo uprising as a negative phenomenon, society should see it as a sign of individuals who were once overlooked finding new ways to change their lives,” he noted.

Habeeb Hamzat, known professionally as Peller, rose to prominence in 2021 as a streamer and content creator. Hailing from Ikorodu, Lagos, Peller gained a massive following through his unique streaming style and comedy series, Peller’s Palava. Despite his digital success, his public life has been marked by controversy, including his decision earlier this year to abandon university education to focus on his career, citing frustration over the time spent in classes without financial return. While some critics have used his educational journey as a point of contention, supporters argue that his success reflects the truth and responds to a broken economic system.

As the debate continues, the discourse highlights a deeper divide in Nigeria between traditional values of academic achievement and the new reality where digital visibility and content creation are increasingly rewarded.