Peller to hire MSc holder as cameraman — Is school truly a scam?

Nigerian celebrity and entrepreneur Shina Peller recently shocked social media when he revealed that 20 candidates with master’s degrees applied for a cameraman position he advertised. The announcement has reignited the long-standing national debate over the value of formal education in Nigeria, with many asking, is school truly a scam?

Peller’s candid disclosure not only highlights Nigeria’s deepening graduate unemployment crisis but also paints a harsh picture of what many youths face despite years of academic pursuit.

The Job Post That Exposed a National Crisis

Peller had initially advertised for a cameraman role on his social media, seeking someone with hands-on technical skills. However, during the screening process, he revealed that a surprising number of applicants were overqualified on paper but lacked relevant field experience.

“Out of 20 shortlisted applicants, 80% had a Master’s degree,” he said. “Some of them studied courses that had nothing to do with media or production.”

The revelation prompted reactions from social media users who lamented the disconnect between academic qualifications and job availability. It also highlighted how graduates are increasingly forced to accept roles far below their academic level just to survive.

‘School Na Scam’ or a Broken System?

The phrase “school na scam” has become common among Nigerian youth, used to express frustration at the limited opportunities awaiting them after graduation. With more graduates than available white-collar jobs, many find themselves working in fields they never studied, or not working at all.

In this context, Peller’s cameraman job has become a symbol of a deeper issue: a broken educational and employment system.

• Why are MSc holders applying for entry-level, non-academic roles?
• What does this say about career counseling and skills development in Nigerian universities?
• Are employers now prioritizing technical know-how over certificates?

These questions are being asked not only by frustrated graduates but also by industry experts and educators concerned about the future of youth employment in Nigeria.

Degrees Don’t Guarantee Skills

Peller emphasized that despite their impressive academic credentials, most applicants lacked hands-on camera operation skills, a non-negotiable requirement for the job.

His experience underscores a growing trend: employers now value competence, creativity, and experience more than degrees alone.

It also signals a shift in workforce dynamics, especially in fields like media, tech, and content creation, where practical skills often outweigh theoretical knowledge.

Social Media Reactions: Mixed, But Loud

Online, reactions ranged from sympathy for unemployed graduates to criticism of Nigeria’s academic system.

“This country will frustrate you. You’ll go to school, serve NYSC, and still end up begging for camera jobs,” one X user lamented.

“Imagine wasting six years only to be rejected for not knowing how to operate a Canon DSLR,” another added.

Many users called for a total overhaul of the education system, emphasizing the need for technical training, entrepreneurial skills, and digital literacy to be embedded in the curriculum from secondary school.

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So, Is School Really a Scam?

Not quite. While frustration is understandable, the issue isn’t the idea of education, but how education is structured, delivered, and aligned with the job market.

Peller’s experience reveals the urgency of reforming Nigeria’s higher education system to focus less on paper qualifications and more on practical, career-ready skills. It also calls for a cultural shift, one where technical or vocational careers are seen as legitimate, respected paths, not fallbacks for those who “didn’t make it.”

Degrees Need Direction, Not Just Decoration

As Nigeria grapples with rising graduate unemployment and evolving job market demands, the debate sparked by Peller’s cameraman search offers a clear takeaway:

Education must evolve, or risk becoming obsolete. Until academic learning is tied directly to real-world application, stories like these will continue to define the reality of thousands of graduates across the country.