Nigerian rapper, Ycee, has sparked conversations about the state of the country’s education system and societal values following his recent comments on a podcast.

The rapper, who recently returned to the music scene after a long hiatus with a new single, spoke about his concerns over what he described as a decline in the appreciation of academic excellence and the growing influence of online trends.

Ycee, while discussing the Nigerian society, said there is a need to pay closer attention to the values being promoted, especially among young people.

“We are trying so much to accommodate unintelligent people because we don’t want them to feel bad, so now they are like the majority,” he said.

The ‘Jagaban’ singer expressed concerns over what he described as increasing challenges affecting the educational sector, noting that insecurity, leadership priorities and societal attitudes have contributed to the decline.

“There’s a massive attack on the educational system in Nigeria. Aside from the kidnapping and insurgency, leadership not prioritising important things, the society not celebrating academic excellence, people don’t want to go to school anymore,” he stated.

Ycee also criticised the growing culture of online popularity, arguing that the reward system on social media could influence the younger generation’s perception of success.

“If we keep rewarding all these guys, if people see that they can just go online and do any stupid thing and they get numbers because that’s what moves the needle in Nigeria- then what are you telling the impressionable young ones out there?” he asked.