The Digest:
Nigerian TikTok star Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, is facing significant backlash after a video went viral showing him interviewing numerous job seekers, including many with master's degrees, for a ₦500,000 monthly cameraman position. The video has ignited mixed reactions online, with many users pointing to it as a stark reflection of Nigeria's harsh job market reality.
Key Points:
- Viral Interview: The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter), showed dozens of individuals, some claiming to hold master's degrees, applying for a cameraman role at Peller's Backbox Studio in Lagos.
- Mixed Public Reaction: While some found humor in the situation, the overwhelming sentiment was one of disbelief and anger, highlighting the desperation for employment in Nigeria.
- Criticism of Peller: Commenters criticized Peller's perceived condescending attitude, especially towards a candidate who corrected him, accusing him of exploiting the situation for content and personal gain.
- Questioning Education: The sight of highly educated individuals vying for a cameraman job sparked debate about the value of academic degrees in Nigeria's current economic climate, with some users lamenting the lack of opportunities for graduates.
- Defense of Education: Conversely, some users defended the importance of education, cautioning against viewing academic achievement as a "scam" based on such incidents.
- Insensitive Remarks: The conversation sadly devolved into tribal and health-related comments by some users, which were widely condemned.
- Peller's History: This isn't Peller's first controversy; he faced backlash in 2024 for a similar plan to hire a first-class graduate as his assistant.
- No Response Yet: As of this report, Peller has not publicly responded to the latest round of criticism.
