Veteran Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has shared his thoughts on the popular saying that “school na scam,” stating that while education is important, academic qualifications alone do not determine success.
Speaking in a recent interview with media personality Joey Akan, the actor argued that many former students, including himself, have gone on to become more financially successful than some of their lecturers.
Jim Iyke also pointed out that several wealthy and influential people did not rely solely on formal education to achieve success, adding that practical wisdom, mentorship, life experiences, and the ability to navigate real-world challenges often play a significant role.
He said:
“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 had taken everything him taught me verbatim and applied it in my pursuit, I wouldn’t have been successful.
“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.
“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.”
His comments have since sparked debate online, with some agreeing that formal education should be complemented by practical skills and experience, while others argued that education remains a valuable foundation and should not be dismissed based on financial outcomes alone.