Former Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has stirred reactions online after he publicly corrected a lady who addressed him by his first name during a corporate event.
The incident occurred at the UBA Graduate Management Accelerated Programme held on Thursday, during a question-and-answer session with participants.
In a video that has since gone viral on X, a graduating student is seen greeting Elumelu and calling him “Tony” while posing her question. Visibly taken aback, the former bank chief asked her to repeat what she had called him, before cutting her off to address the matter directly.
Elumelu told the lady he preferred to be addressed formally, stating that he does not embrace what he described as “western culture” in that regard.
“No, you won’t call me Tony. I’m not those ones. You will call me Mr. Elumelu or T.O.E or Chairman. I don’t subscribe to that kind of Oyinbo life,” he said.
The clip has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with opinions split over whether the lady’s conduct was disrespectful or simply a slip in judgement.
Some social media users criticised the graduating student for what they considered a lack of decorum, arguing that addressing a chairman by first name in a formal setting reflected poorly on her professionalism and upbringing. Others were more sympathetic, suggesting she may have simply misjudged the setting rather than intended any disrespect, while commending Elumelu for handling the exchange calmly and still engaging with her question afterward.
The moment has since become a talking point online, with many using it to weigh in on broader questions of respect, generational attitudes, and workplace etiquette in Nigeria.
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