Nollywood actress and filmmaker Mary Njoku says the so-called “olodo uprising” is the result of Nigeria’s failure to reward education and intellectual achievement, not a celebration of ignorance.

Njoku shared her views on Instagram after rapper Ycee criticised what he called an “olodo uprising” during a recent appearance on the Afropolitan podcast. He blamed “Peller culture” for promoting shocking online content over academic success.

Peller responded by calling Ycee an “illiterate.” He argued that the people Ycee described as “olodo” are helping to promote songs and grow the music industry.

Education no longer feels rewarding

Reacting to the debate, Njoku said many educated Nigerians spend years earning degrees but still struggle to find good jobs.

“Stop calling it an ‘Olodo uprising’. What’s happening isn’t a celebration of ignorance. It’s the consequence of a country that has steadily devalued education, excellence, and intellectual achievement,” she wrote.

“You cannot expect people to spend years studying, graduate with first- class degrees, master’s degrees, even PhDs, and then struggle to find meaningful opportunities or earn a decent living.

“When survival becomes the priority, people will naturally go where the opportunities are. Don’t blame the people for adapting. Blame the system for making education feel like a bad investment.”

Njoku warns of long-term impact

The actress said Nigeria risks hurting its future by failing to reward teachers, doctors, engineers, scientists, researchers, and other professionals.

“This is the slow death of intellectualism. A nation that stops rewarding its teachers, doctors, engineers, scientists, researchers, and innovators is quietly signing its own death warrant,” she added.

“The real crisis isn’t that some people are choosing different paths. The real crisis is that we’re producing a generation that no longer believes excellence pays. A society that makes intelligence optional and mediocrity profitable isn’t witnessing an ‘Olodo uprising’. It’s witnessing the slow death of its future.”