Tony Elumelu Corrects Trainee Who Called Him “Tony” at UBA Programme
Tony Elumelu has reminded a young trainee about how he prefers to be addressed after she referred to him simply as “Tony” during a recent UBA event.
Nigerian billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu has sparked a fresh conversation about workplace culture and respect after correcting a young woman who addressed him by his first name during the 2026 UBA Graduate Management Accelerated Programme.
The moment happened during an interaction with trainees at the programme, where the young woman referred to the UBA chairman as “Tony” before asking her question.
Elumelu immediately stopped her and made it clear that he would rather be addressed as “Mr Elumelu,” “TOE,” or “Chairman.”
“You won’t call me Tony. You’ll call me Mr Elumelu. TOE, or Chairman. I don’t subscribe to that kind of oyibo lifestyle.”
The remark drew laughter and attention from those present, while a video of the exchange later circulated widely on social media.
Elumelu’s Comment Sparks Debate Over Workplace Etiquette
The incident has divided opinions online, with some Nigerians backing Elumelu’s position and arguing that the trainee should have shown greater respect when addressing a senior executive.
Others, however, believe that using first names is common in modern corporate environments, particularly within private organisations where employees may be encouraged to interact with senior executives more informally.
Beyond the question of whether the trainee was right or wrong, Elumelu’s reference to an “oyibo lifestyle” has also attracted attention.
His comment reflects a more traditional Nigerian approach to workplace and social relationships, where titles and respectful forms of address are often considered important when speaking to elders or people in positions of authority.
Elumelu Highlights Growth of UBA Graduate Programme
Elumelu later shared footage from the graduation ceremony of the 2026 UBA Graduate Trainees on Instagram.
According to the businessman, the highly competitive programme has now trained more than 5,000 young professionals since it was introduced.
The programme is designed to develop young graduates and prepare them for careers within the financial services industry, making the interaction particularly notable because it involved a trainee addressing one of the bank’s most senior figures.
Tony Elumelu Set to Leave UBA Chairmanship
The moment also comes as Elumelu prepares to leave his position as Chairman of United Bank for Africa after 12 years in the role.
His tenure is scheduled to end on August 21, 2026, with long-serving Non-Executive Director Emmanuel Nnorom expected to succeed him as chairman.
Elumelu remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent businessmen and philanthropists, with interests spanning banking, investments and entrepreneurship.
The brief exchange with the trainee may have lasted only a few seconds, but it has reignited a familiar debate in Nigeria over the balance between modern corporate culture, personal familiarity and traditional respect for authority.
