At a recent UBA event, Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu took a young trainee to task for addressing him by his first name. The billionaire businessman corrected the lady, calling her action an "oyinbo lifestyle" he doesn't subscribe to.
Elumelu Corrects Trainee on Respectful Address
The incident occurred at the UBA Graduate Management Accelerated Programme 2026, where Elumelu serves as Chairman. The 63-year-old billionaire was taken aback when the young lady referred to him as "Tony", prompting him to correct her. "You won't call me Tony. You'll call me Mr Elumelu. TOE, or Chairman," he said, adding that he doesn't subscribe to that kind of lifestyle.
Reactions Spark Online Debate
The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking a heated debate on the correctness of the lady's action. Some netizens argue that she was in the wrong for referring to Elumelu by his first name, especially since she is a trainee of the bank. Others, however, opine that in private organisations, it's not unusual for persons, irrespective of their age or position, to be addressed by their first name.
Elumelu's Cultural Stance
One thing that draws attention to the incident is Elumelu's remarks that he doesn't subscribe to such an "Oyinbo lifestyle". This is a clear indication that he identifies with the common cultural ideal that stipulates respect for one's elders and people in positions of power and authority. Despite running one of Africa's biggest banks and being one of the richest and most popular businessmen on the continent, he still maintains a touch of Nigerian culture and tradition.
UBA's Graduate Programme Grows
Elumelu recently shared a clip of the graduation ceremony of the 2026 set of UBA Graduate Trainees on his Instagram page. The competitive programme has now trained over 5,000 young professionals since its launch. The programme's success is a testament to Elumelu's commitment to empowering the next generation of African leaders.
Elumelu Steps Down as UBA Chairman
It's worth noting that Elumelu recently stepped down as the Chairman of UBA after 12 years in the role. His tenure will come to an end on August 21, 2026, while the long-serving Non-Executive Director Emmanuel Nnorom will take over as Chairman.
Source: Pulse.ng
