A Nigerian businesswoman, Nenye Uzowulu, has delivered a powerful and unapologetic response to individuals who have mocked her for not having a formal education. In a fiery social media post, she turned the insult of 'illiteracy' on its head, showcasing her substantial achievements in business and life.
Defiance in the Face of Mockery
On January 16, 2026, Nenye Uzowulu took to her Facebook page to address her detractors directly. She made it clear that attempts to shame her for being 'illiterate' were futile. "Now listen you b!tches with half baked brain. I'm not the type you will shame with 'illiterate' and I will give a f*uck about it," she wrote with characteristic bluntness.
She boldly admitted, "I have always said it here...I didn't go to school. I'm not ashamed of saying it." Instead of viewing her lack of formal schooling as a setback, she framed it as a backdrop against which her success shines even brighter.
A Catalogue of Tangible Success
Uzowulu did not stop at mere defiance. She proceeded to list her accomplishments, effectively using them as her credentials. She highlighted her role as a family pillar, stating she provided "the ladder for my siblings to climb on" through sacrifice.
Her business acumen is evidently not confined by borders. She has built and raised multiple businesses, travelled globally for commerce, and fought fiercely for her success. She also pointed to the personal legacy she has built, having raised men and navigated betrayals, while making both her birth parents and her marital family proud.
Redefining 'Illiterate' and Raising the Bar
In a powerful reclamation of the label thrown at her, Nenye Uzowulu declared herself a "productive illiterate." This phrase encapsulates her core argument: that traditional measures of education do not define one's capability, intelligence, or worth.
She challenged her critics directly, asking, "What else do you have to shame me with if not 'illiterate'?" She confidently asserted that poverty could not be used as a weapon against her, concluding with a bold challenge: "Raise the bar for me." This statement underscores her confidence and positions her critics as the ones who need to elevate their own standards of judgment.
The post, which was shared on the popular blog of Linda Ikeji, has sparked significant conversation online about the narrow definitions of success and the value of entrepreneurial grit versus formal academic qualifications in Nigeria's challenging economic landscape.
