Olodo uprising: ‘I don’t have a degree’ — YCee replies critics
Nigerian rapper Oludemilade Martin Alejo, popularly known as YCee, has addressed the controversy surrounding the viral “Olodo Uprising” debate, stating that his comments were widely misunderstood and insisting that he does not hold a university degree.
Speaking in a recent interview, the rapper said his remarks were intended to highlight what he believes is society’s growing obsession with wealth, rather than to insult or belittle anyone.
According to YCee, the relentless pursuit of money has negatively influenced people’s values and attitudes.
Responding to allegations that his comments were classist or elitist, the rapper dismissed the claims, explaining that he only possesses a secondary school certificate and never attended university.
YCee revealed that he had hoped to study Computer Science at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), but was unable to secure admission because he did not meet the institution’s required cut-off mark at the time.
“I hate what the pursuit of money has done to us as a society. There are societies that are worse off than Nigeria war-torn societies where people do not behave as badly as Nigerians. And the excuse is always, ‘so long as you make money.’
“The whole ‘Olodo Uprising’ frenzy I didn’t coin the phrase. I feel a lot of people missed my point and are trying to make it seem as though I was classist or elitist because I have some level of education.
“Mind you, I just have my school certificate. I don’t have a university degree. It got to a point in SS2 when I couldn’t read anymore; I was like, ‘I’m done.’ I wanted to study Computer Science, but I couldn’t meet the cut-off mark to study at UNILAG. Now they’ve reduced the cut-off; maybe if I had written the exam now, I would have gained admission to study Computer Science.”
YCee maintained that his educational background contradicts the perception that he was looking down on people with less formal education. He stressed that his comments were directed at addressing society’s declining values and the unhealthy glorification of wealth, not at mocking or discriminating against anyone based on their educational status.
