I raised my children in wealth, My children are citizens of America, citizens of the UK–MC Oluomo Revealed

According to Vanguard, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, has sparked widespread reactions following his recent comments in a viral video where he addressed the backlash he received over a language misstep during a public appearance. In the clip, which quickly made rounds on social media platforms, the Lagos State transport union leader responded to critics who mocked his pronunciation of the word “kudos,” which he misarticulated as “Kundus.” The moment ignited a flurry of jokes and memes online, many of them questioning his command of English and ridiculing his educational background. The wave of ridicule has since turned into a broader conversation about the role of language, education, and social class in Nigeria.

The video, taken from a recent gathering, captured MC Oluomo speaking to an audience where he appeared to deviate from the usual tone of political correctness. In what appeared to be a defensive yet defiant tone, he addressed the growing tide of mockery aimed at him by reaffirming that while his grasp of English might be imperfect, his personal achievements and social standing stand as a testament to his success. The comment about “Kundus,” which many online users latched onto, was the main highlight of the clip. Social media users used it as a punchline to discuss everything from educational inequality to leadership in Nigeria’s union system.

MC Oluomo, a key figure within the Lagos State transport sector, is known for his influence and leadership within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Despite having little formal education, he rose through the ranks to become a central player in the state’s informal transport economy. His statement, made in a mix of English and Yoruba, suggested a sense of pride in having built a legacy from humble beginnings without relying on academic qualifications. While the online community dissected the speech for humor and criticism, his comments reflect a deeper social reality where success is often judged through a narrow lens of formal education and fluency in English, ignoring other markers of achievement.

MC Oluomo used the opportunity to highlight his journey from a modest background to a position of wealth and influence. He pointed to his accomplishments, including raising children who hold foreign citizenships and enjoy lives of comfort and privilege. His response suggested that his detractors, despite their educational achievements, might not have accomplished as much materially or socially. The video also brought renewed attention to the longstanding tension in Nigeria between traditional leadership rooted in grassroots influence and the more elite expectations often symbolised by fluency in English and possession of degrees. This divide continues to shape the perception of leadership and success in public discourse.

In his remarks, he dismissed the idea that speaking flawless English was a requirement for leadership or impact, especially in a multilingual country like Nigeria. He reminded his audience that English is a colonial language and not a native one for the majority of Nigerians. He insisted that Yoruba is his mother tongue and the primary mode through which he communicates. This declaration resonated with some viewers who saw his statement as a pushback against language-based elitism, while others viewed it as an attempt to deflect from a legitimate criticism. Nevertheless, his message was clear: legacy and tangible achievements matter more to him than grammar.

He said: “I stayed there and worked hard, but I wasn’t educated, See, they said I said Kundus, is Kundus not my son/ You are educated; what have you done? They should go and compete with my children, I raised my children in wealth, My children are citizens of America, citizens of the UK. I worked hard to get to that level. Kundus, kudos, what’s the difference? What do you want to hear? English is not my mother tongue, Yoruba is.