In a nation where academic degrees are worn like badges of honor, TikTok star Habeeb Hamzat a.k.a. Peller has stirred a digital firestorm. Recently, he advertised a ₦500,000 salary vacancy for a cameraman—with one odd requirement: only holders of a Master’s degree should apply.
He reportedly interviewed 20 postgraduate candidates. Nigerians, as expected, had a lot to say. Some called it satire. Others saw it as deep disrespect for the country’s education system. But beyond the noise, this event reveals a more serious question about today’s economic landscape:
Is formal education still the golden ticket to success—or has entrepreneurship taken the throne?
Let’s break down the situation, connect it with the wider entrepreneurship vs 9 to 5 debate, and explore what this truly says about work, value, and identity in modern Nigeria.
The controversy kicked off when Peller, a self-made content creator, offered a ₦500,000 per month salary for a cameraman. But what shocked the nation wasn’t the salary—it was that he only wanted applicants with a Master’s degree.
For someone who admits to having no formal education, this move felt like a slap in the face to the many degree-holders struggling to make ends meet. Interviews were conducted. Videos of graduates explaining why they deserve the job surfaced. And Nigerians couldn’t believe what they were watching.
Was this satire? A PR stunt? Or was it Peller’s way of sending a message?
Online platforms erupted. Many graduates expressed frustration:
“How can someone with no WAEC ask for a Master’s holder to be his cameraman?”
Others applauded him:
“He’s offering better pay than most corporate jobs.”
This polarizing response uncovers a national identity crisis—we equate education with worth, yet the job market doesn’t always follow suit. Peller may have meant to provoke, but what he provoked was a long-buried truth about Nigeria’s workforce.
There was a time when earning a B.Sc., M.Sc., or even Ph.D. guaranteed a prestigious job. But today? Thousands of graduates roam the streets unemployed or underemployed.
Meanwhile, people like Peller—armed with ring lights, smartphones, and charisma—are earning 6- to 7-figure incomes monthly.
This isn’t to say education isn’t valuable. It absolutely is. But in a rapidly changing economy driven by digital skills and content creation, traditional education alone isn’t enough. Employers (even unconventional ones like Peller) now seek value over certificates.
It’s not just about the job offer—it’s what it represents.
The frustration is more about lost dignity than job loss. It challenges deeply held beliefs about success and fairness in Nigeria.
Peller’s fame didn’t come from a classroom—it came from relatable content, entertainment, and a deep understanding of his audience. His numbers are undeniable. 11 million TikTok followers. Record-breaking live views. Brand deals.
He built a business in the new digital economy. And like any business owner, he now hires staff—and sets his own standards, as unconventional as they may be.
This is entrepreneurship in 2025. Raw talent, bold decisions, and a platform to reach millions—no degree required.
A cameraman’s job isn’t to solve quadratic equations. It’s to frame, shoot, and edit compelling visuals. That requires technical skills, creativity, and an eye for detail—not necessarily a thesis.
The disconnect lies here: academic qualifications don’t always reflect real-world competency. And Peller, in his controversial way, is forcing us to confront that reality.
Peller is the embodiment of the entrepreneurial shift—where the once “unqualified” now have the power to hire, fire, and dictate standards. It feels uncomfortable to many, but it’s real.
Entrepreneurship has changed the narrative. It’s no longer about who has the most certificates—it’s about who can create value, solve problems, and pay salaries.
There’s irony in someone with no formal education demanding postgraduate degrees for a cameraman role. But there’s also a brutal reality check: the marketplace doesn’t care how many degrees you hold—it cares what you can do.
Peller isn’t mocking education. He’s exposing its limitations in a digital-first world.
Across the globe, the 9 to 5 model is slowly losing its grip. Freelancing, content creation, remote work, and digital entrepreneurship are reshaping the job landscape. In Nigeria, this shift is happening in real time—and Peller’s story is just one example.
The gig economy offers flexibility, autonomy, and often, better pay than formal employment. Creators like Peller have turned passion into profession, bypassing HR departments and degree requirements. While traditional jobs still offer structure and benefits, the earning power of independent creators is becoming undeniable.
Peller’s hiring of a master’s degree holder may seem absurd, but it’s symbolic of this power shift. It’s not about mocking education—it’s about challenging old norms in a new economy.
That’s the bigger question. While the West is rapidly embracing remote jobs, creator culture, and digital innovation, Nigeria’s institutions are lagging. Our educational system still trains students for roles that barely exist anymore.
But on the streets, in internet cafés, and on smartphones, Nigerian youth are adapting. They’re editing videos on CapCut, running YouTube channels, freelancing on Fiverr, and becoming influencers—often out of necessity, not luxury.
Peller may be controversial, but he’s also proof that the youth are ready for something new, even if the country isn’t.
In Nigerian society, education is tied to identity. To be “educated” is to be “civilized,” respected. That’s why Peller’s vacancy feels personal. It’s not just about a job—it’s about respect and dignity.
But entrepreneurship, especially in the digital age, doesn’t follow those old rules. It rewards hustle, creativity, risk-taking, and street-smart decisions. Degrees matter less than execution. And that cultural tension is at the heart of this controversy.
For many, Peller’s success is a celebration. For others, it’s a painful reminder that book knowledge alone no longer guarantees status.
Yes—and they must. We need doctors, lawyers, and engineers. But we also need creators, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. It’s not entrepreneurship vs education. It’s about integration and evolution.
A master’s holder who knows how to shoot, edit, and market videos is twice as valuable as one who only knows theory. And a creator who upskills in business management becomes a true force of innovation.
We don’t need to choose one path. We need to bridge the gap.
Whether you’re applying for jobs or building your own brand, here are the key skills Nigerian youths must master:
Degrees are important—but they must be paired with real, marketable skills.
Instead of seeing the two paths as opposites, why not blend them?
The hybrid model is the future. And Peller’s story might just be the strange, unexpected reminder we all needed.
Peller didn’t just stir controversy—he started a conversation. About dignity. About ambition. About what it means to succeed in Nigeria today.
Yes, the ₦500,000 cameraman role for master’s holders felt provocative. But it exposed something deeper: the gap between education and economic relevance.
Entrepreneurship is not better than a 9 to 5. A 9 to 5 is not more honorable than hustling online. Both paths have value—but only when individuals equip themselves with the right mindset and skills.
In the end, Peller’s story is not a mockery of education—it’s a mirror to our society. The question is, are we ready to look into it?
Not necessarily. While his approach is provocative, it likely aims to spotlight the disconnect between academic qualifications and real-world employment.
Because it feels disrespectful to degree holders struggling in a tight economy. Many see it as diminishing the value of formal education.
Absolutely. Many successful business owners around the world have no formal education but excel due to experience, innovation, and leadership.
Yes, especially in specialized fields. But it should be paired with real-world skills, adaptability, and continuous learning.
Digital skills, content creation, communication, entrepreneurial thinking, and emotional intelligence are all key in the modern economy.
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