Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has corrected a newly recruited graduate trainee after she addressed him by his first name during the bank’s induction programme for 5,000 new employees.
The incident occurred during the induction programme when the trainee took the microphone and referred to the UBA chairman simply as “Tony.”
Apparently taken aback by the manner of address, Elumelu asked her to correct herself.
When she was given another opportunity to address him, the trainee again referred to him as “Tony,” prompting another reaction from the business executive.
Elumelu subsequently explained that he prefers to be addressed respectfully and said he does not subscribe to what he described as the “Oyinbo” culture of addressing senior figures by their first names.
The exchange was captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media, generating widespread reactions from Nigerians.
The incident has also sparked discussions about workplace etiquette, generational differences and the appropriate way to address senior executives in Nigeria’s corporate environment.
While some Nigerians supported Elumelu’s position on respect and hierarchy, others argued that addressing senior colleagues or executives by their first names can be acceptable in some modern workplaces.
