From Olodo to Ologo: Bridging Education and Skill for Lasting Value

After my first degree, I stayed in Ibadan for a one-year diploma and learned tailoring under a skilled designer. Balancing morning lectures and workshop sessions, I spotted an opportunity to create customised graduation outfits for university departments. That small idea became a thriving business before NYSC even began. Growing up, being called “olodo” was the harshest insult. Schools, families, and assembly songs taught us that hard study led to dignity and success. Education shaped our manners, discipline, and respect for knowledge—even when it didn’t pay immediately. Today, success often comes through entertainment, digital influence, or viral fame. A recent debate dubbed an “olodo uprising” argues that we now reward virality over substance. My worry isn’t new paths to success. It’s when society mocks learning, making curiosity uncool and expertise optional. We must stop pitting school against skill. Formal education teaches structure and critical thinking. Technical skill delivers execution and innovation. The future belongs to those who combine both—learning, adapting, and creating real value.

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