LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has sparked conversations after sharing his thoughts on the popular phrase “school na scam,” saying academic qualifications alone do not guarantee success.
Speaking in a recent interview with media personality Joey Akan, the actor explained that while education has value, success is not determined only by academic achievements or certificates.
Iyke said many people, including himself, have achieved greater financial success than some of their former lecturers, adding that some of the world’s wealthiest individuals built their careers without relying solely on formal education.
“There is some truth to ‘school na scam’. I am doing better than all my lecturers. I once met one of my lecturer, who is now late, on a plane and we both knew who was doing better. If I had taken everything him taught me verbatim and applied it in my pursuit, I wouldn’t have been successful,” the actor said.
He explained that lessons from parents, mentors, business owners and personal experiences often provide practical knowledge that cannot always be found in classrooms.
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According to Iyke, advice from older people and everyday entrepreneurs helped him understand decision-making, resilience and how to navigate life beyond academic theories.
“I will tell you what worked. It is what the uncles, the traders who barely went to school, told me. They told me go left at all time and never right. The father who told me to forget theories and know when to be ruthless, conform or stand my grounds and what books to read,” he explained.
Iyke further argued that many successful people did not build their wealth through advanced academic qualifications, questioning whether formal education is the only path to achievement.
“Some of the wealthiest men in the world did not get it from classroom. How many of them have PhD? I have a PhD holder who works for me. We can argue all we want but school is partly scam,” he added.
Despite his views, Iyke himself has a background in formal education, having studied philosophy at the University of Jos and earned a banking diploma.
