Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, Reno Omokri, has said artificial intelligence may replace professionals in highly skilled fields before it can replace the spontaneity and human connection displayed by Nigerian content creator, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller.
He also described Peller, as a “money spinner,” saying his ability to connect with people and build relationships is a quality artificial intelligence cannot replicate.
Omokri made the assertion on Saturday in a lengthy commentary titled, “Peller and the Olodo Uprising: An Unpopular Opinion,” in which he argued that Peller’s playful personality and ability to connect with people could become increasingly valuable in an era of rapid technological advancement.
While acknowledging that Peller had been criticised for being “goofy” and “silly”, Omokri said those qualities could be part of what made the young content creator attractive to audiences and celebrities.
He wrote, “Let me shock you with a statement of fact: Artificial intelligence will replace doctors before it can replace someone like Peller.”
Omokri argued that qualities such as spontaneity, humour and playfulness were difficult for artificial intelligence to replicate because they were deeply rooted in human behaviour.
He said, “Because it takes a human to be goofy and act slapstick. I do not see AI ever doing stand-up comedy, like any of our comedians, or improv kookiness, like Peller. That spontaneity and wacky playfulness are things all of us had in childhood, but most of us lost as we became adults.”
The former presidential aide said Peller’s emergence should also prompt parents to rethink how they assess children’s academic performance and future prospects.
He encouraged parents to support their children’s education while avoiding comparisons with other children based solely on academic achievement.
He wrote, “This so called Olodo Uprising is a challenge and as a parent, encourage your child to study and improve their minds.”
Omokri said conventional education and career paths remained viable options but argued that technological developments were creating alternative routes to success.
He wrote, “So don’t pressure your children or mock your wards because they aren’t getting the best grades. Don’t ‘see your mate’ them! The world has changed.”
He further claimed that AI was already outperforming professionals in some areas, citing accountancy, engineering and legal practice, although he did not provide evidence for the claims.
Omokri also pointed to the increasing use of automation at airports, saying technology had reduced the need for direct interaction with human personnel.
“In Nigeria today, the Governor of Kaduna and I landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport from London and didn’t have to deal with a human being until we left the airport. AI has automated everything. E-gates scan your passport, and off you go!” he wrote.
He also referred to driverless vehicles in California and predicted that traditional taxi and ride-hailing driving jobs could eventually be significantly disrupted by autonomous vehicles.
However, Omokri argued that technological advancement would not eliminate the value of human warmth, humour and spontaneity.
“We do not yet know how far AI will go. But we do know it can never replace human fun and spontaneity. And that is what we have to ensure that our children retain,” he said.
According to him, Peller’s ability to entertain, connect with people and avoid taking himself too seriously had contributed to his commercial appeal despite criticism over his academic abilities.
He wrote, “Let them have fun and be fun to be around. That will make them AI-proof.”
Omokri added, “That Olodo boy called Peller is a money spinner, connecting with people and building bridges globally, because he has what AI cannot replicate in a thousand years. He has warmth, innocence, purity and the ability not to take himself seriously.”
He compared Peller’s perceived innocence and purity to qualities he believed attracted people to the late American pop star, Michael Jackson.
Omokri also cited a quotation attributed to former Beatles member John Lennon about the importance of happiness, using it to reinforce his argument that academic qualifications should not be the sole measure of success or fulfilment.
He concluded by urging parents to prioritise the happiness and wellbeing of their children while allowing them to develop other qualities and skills.
“As long as you have a healthy, happy child, you and they can add everything else to their life later,” he said.