In a striking turn of events, Olutimain Alvin Lanre, a graduate from Ajayi Crowther University in Nigeria, recently ignited controversy by setting fire to all his academic certificates, spanning from primary school to university. Lanre, who completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2013, expressed his frustration in a viral video, highlighting the futility of his 13 years of formal education.
Despite his academic accomplishments, Lanre revealed that he found himself confined to job opportunities typically associated with individuals lacking formal education. This unfortunate reality led him to perceive his hard-earned certificates as worthless in the pursuit of meaningful personal and professional growth.
In the video, Lanre passionately argued that investing years in formal education might not be as advantageous as acquiring practical skills. He emphasized the disparity between educational achievements and the lack of corresponding opportunities, leading him to question the traditional path of education.
During the emotional display, Lanre set his certificates ablaze, symbolizing his frustration and disillusionment with a system that seemed to devalue his qualifications. The act, captured in a video initially shared by @perfectskones and @ngozikan, sparked a diverse range of reactions on social media.
While some netizens empathized with Lanre’s predicament, others criticized the perceived hastiness and extremity of his actions. @therealmifo pointed out the existence of colored photocopy machines, questioning the authenticity of Lanre’s gesture. Meanwhile, @HarunaNuhu acknowledged valid points in Lanre’s message but deemed the act a rash response to his frustrations.
@OkoronkwoJohns1 saw Lanre’s actions as an expression of broader frustrations within Nigeria. The video prompted discussions about the effectiveness of Lanre’s message, with suggestions for alternative ways to address grievances within the system.
@2023best_is_35 shared a personal perspective, revealing enlarged certificates in their sitting room as a reminder to guide their children toward professional courses, steering clear of what they deemed as “useless courses” in the country. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges individuals face in navigating the delicate balance between formal education and practical opportunities in certain socio-economic contexts.
