Netizens Divided As Elumelu’s First-Name Remark Sparks Debate Over Workplace Culture

A viral video involving United Bank for Africa Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, has sparked debate among corporate workers and Nigerians over the use of first names in the workplace.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the controversy followed a graduation ceremony of UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, where a young executive trainee addressed Elumelu as “Tony” during an interactive session.

Elumelu initially appeared to mishear her, asking, “Toyin? Toyin?” before she clarified that she had said, “Good morning, Tony.”

He then corrected her, telling her to address him as “Mr Elumelu” or “TOE.”

Elumelu said, “Okay. No, you won’t call me Tony. You’ll call me Mr Elumelu or TOE. You won’t call me Tony, or Chairman. I don’t subscribe to that kind of… Oyinbo life, okay?”

The trainee subsequently addressed him as “Mr Elumelu” and continued with her question.

The video has since generated mixed reactions, with opinions divided over whether first-name policies should apply across all levels of an organisation or whether employees should defer to senior executives based on age, rank and the setting.

Some corporate workers have recalled their experiences with first-name policies in Nigerian banks and other organisations, while others argue that such policies can create confusion when employees are expected to know when to use a colleague’s first name and when to revert to formal titles.

Reacting to the incident, Jide Akintunde said Elumelu’s objection was surprising, given his long-standing association with the name Tony.

Akintunde argued that the public correction highlighted the power imbalance between Elumelu and the young trainee and said it could have been handled privately.

However, some Nigerians defended Elumelu, arguing that first-name culture does not automatically apply to every workplace or situation.

Hamma recalled that Elumelu had previously been known simply as Tony in professional circles, but said the current situation could be understood in the context of the age difference between Elumelu and younger members of the workforce.

Taiwo Ogunnaike also defended Elumelu, saying the correction was not humiliating and that he was gentle with the trainee.

He argued that failing to correct her immediately could have created an expectation that others could also address the chairman by his first name.

Maryanne Moghalu described the greeting as inappropriate, saying workplace first-name culture usually depends on permission.

She argued that even abroad, employees generally address their superiors formally until they are given permission to use their first names.

Another social media user, Ajokeee, said the setting made the greeting inappropriate, stressing that the trainee was addressing the chairman of UBA at a formal event.

Dr Dípò Awójídé also supported the view that Nigerian workplace culture should be considered.

He said he would address Elumelu as “Mr” because of his age and argued that corporate training should include lessons on organisational culture and hierarchy.

Awójídé added that while Nigerians could adopt aspects of Western workplace culture, respect remained an important part of Nigerian culture.

The incident also prompted some Nigerians to question what they described as inconsistencies in workplace etiquette.

Romi asked why junior workers could casually address older support staff, such as gatemen and cleaners, by their first names while senior executives were treated differently.

Another user recalled his experience at Stanbic IBTC, saying some senior staff members preferred first-name greetings and even discouraged employees from using formal titles.

Tosin.X, meanwhile, called on Nigerian human resources professionals to reconsider first-name policies, arguing that such rules could put employees under unnecessary pressure over how to address senior colleagues.

Other contributors described the controversy as a clash between workplace policy and cultural expectations, with some emphasising adherence to corporate rules while others stressed culture, age and respect.

Olúyẹmí Fásípè also warned against using Gen Z identity as an excuse for disrespect, saying being a member of the younger generation should not automatically translate into disrespectful behaviour.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, joined the discussion by recalling a similar incident involving American poet and author Maya Angelou, who once rebuked a young woman for addressing her by her first name during a class session.

Another contributor argued that Nigerians should not abandon their cultural values while embracing global workplace practices, saying Western corporate customs could be adopted without discarding local expectations around respect.