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...