In a viral livestream that has ignited fierce debate across Nigeria’s social media, popular TikTok personality Peller, a self-described secondary school dropout has come under fire for publicly ridiculing a group of Nigerian university graduates vying for an ordinary ₦500,000 monthly cameraman position.



Late last week, Peller announced via his TikTok channel that he would be hiring two cameramen from a pool of 20 applicants. The only catch? Candidates must be no older than 22 and hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field. Within hours, 20 hopefuls showed up, including fresh BSc graduates, and one applicant whose highest qualification was a West African Senior School Certificate (WAEC).


During the livestreamed interviews dubbed a “dark interview” by viewers Peller repeatedly belittled and humiliated contestants. One graduate was chastised for daring to correct his English; another was dismissed for not appearing “poor enough.” Several applicants left the stage visibly shaken, while those still waiting looked on in disbelief.


Educated Nigerians have taken to Twitter and Instagram to express outrage. Critics argue that Peller’s harsh treatment of qualified graduates—many of whom are struggling to secure employment—was callous at best and exploitative at worst. Hashtags like #SchoolNaScam and #HumiliationTrend began trending within hours of the broadcast.


Some of Peller’s fans defended the stunt as “dark humor” aimed at highlighting the value of self-made success over formal education. According to these supporters, the exercise was designed to prove that “school is a scam,” reflecting Peller’s own narrative of overcoming illiteracy to build an online empire.


Career consultants and education advocates have weighed in, warning that these kinds of public “auditions” can deepen anxieties among young graduates already facing high unemployment rates. “Mocking people for their qualifications or socioeconomic backgrounds is irresponsible,” says Dr. Amaka Obi, a Lagos-based career counselor. “It trivializes the real challenges graduates face and perpetuates a toxic notion that formal education has no value.”


Meanwhile, social commentators worry that Peller’s content-driven approach using humiliation as entertainment may encourage copycats among influencers seeking viral fame.