Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter YCEE has criticised Nigeria’s ruling class, accusing political leaders of prioritising self-enrichment over the welfare of ordinary citizens while calling for reforms in education, improved mental health awareness and greater youth participation in governance.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News, YCEE reflected on his four-year break from music, his diagnosis with bipolar disorder, the conversation sparked by the phrase “Olodo Uprising,” and why he believes Nigeria’s education system and political leadership require urgent attention. He also urged young Nigerians to become more involved in shaping the country’s future.
Speaking about his absence from music, YCEE said he stepped away from the industry to focus on his health after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020.
“I think for me was, you know, it was much of my body and my mind just letting me know that I needed to take time to take care of myself. And, you know, within that time, I delved deep into mental health because in 2020, I was diagnosed with a mental health condition.”
He revealed that he was diagnosed in London during the COVID-19 lockdown and said the experience exposed him to the importance of mental health awareness, while also highlighting the shortage of mental health professionals and the stigma surrounding mental health conversations in Nigeria.
Addressing the “Olodo Uprising” conversation that recently went viral, YCEE clarified that he did not coin the phrase but said it reflects a growing acceptance of ignorance in society.
“I think one thing that I’ve noticed, especially stemming from the fallout of the conversation is that, you know, a lot of people are now more comfortable, you know, speaking to ignorance because I think it’s going to a point where people have believed so much in ignorance being bliss to the point that now it’s like, you know, people believe that ignorance should be celebrated.”
He also argued that the pursuit of money should never come at the expense of integrity.
“I don’t think there’s any bag that would be worth my integrity and dignity,” he said.
On Nigeria’s education system, YCEE blamed the country’s political leadership for many of the challenges confronting citizens.
“I think the first step in the conversation has to sit with our rulers because I don’t necessarily look at the Nigerian ruling class and think there’s any leadership going on there,” he said.
He added, “At the end of the day, like we’ve seen it time and time again, these people come into office. And I think the main priority is just self enrichment and just a total disregard for the common man and the layman at the end of the day.”
According to the artiste, many political officeholders are disconnected from the realities facing ordinary Nigerians.
“Their children don’t attend our schools. So they can’t possibly understand how bad the educational system is. They don’t use our hospitals. So they don’t think that, you know, our healthcare struggles are important.”
YCEE also warned that rising education costs and declining standards could make quality education inaccessible to many Nigerians.
“I think it’s becoming a thing where it’s going to get to a point where education is going to be looked at as luxury and in a population where a larger percentage of that population are not able to afford that luxury, then we’re doomed.”
Calling for greater civic engagement, he encouraged young Nigerians to actively participate in conversations and decisions affecting their future.
“You need to put it to your leaders and your representatives to pursue your best interests,” he said, adding that poor governance has consequences that directly affect the lives of citizens.
Ademise Adebayo
