Connect with us

News

Call Me Chairman, Not Tony!’: Elumelu’s Blunt Correction of Trainee Splits Internet as Old Video Sparks Double Standard Fury

Published

3 weeks ago

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A seemingly brief exchange between United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, and a female graduate trainee has erupted into a nationwide conversation about cultural values, corporate etiquette, and the politics of address, after a video of the interaction went viral on social media.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 20, 2026, during an interactive session at the graduation ceremony for UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP) in Lagos. In the now-viral clip, the trainee began her question by greeting the billionaire businessman with a casual, “Good morning, Tony.”

Mr. Elumelu, who was serving as a mentor at the event, promptly and firmly corrected her. According to multiple reports, he told her: “No, you won’t call me Tony. You call me Mr. Elumelu, or TOE, or Chairman.” He further justified his stance, explaining that he does not subscribe to what he termed the casual, Western-style familiarity in professional settings. “I don’t subscribe to that kind of Oyinbo life, okay!” he added.

The exchange has since polarized the Nigerian public, sparking a fierce debate on social media.

One faction of netizens has rallied behind Mr. Elumelu, arguing that the trainee’s address was a clear sign of disrespect, given his status as the chairman of a major financial institution and his seniority in age. Commentators argued that in a formal setting, the use of a title is a basic sign of respect. One social media user remarked, “Common sense should make you understand that at that moment, you are not talking to your friend, but what he is, a chairman or boss, or at least an adult that is obviously older than you.”

Advert

Conversely, a second group has come to the trainee’s defense. They argue that modern corporate culture, even within Nigerian banks, often encourages a first-name basis to foster a more egalitarian and open work environment. A former UBA staff member, Innocent Istifanus Moses, confirmed that GMAP graduates are typically taught to address colleagues, including senior executives, by their first names. In his view, the trainee’s mistake was not irredeemable, and he advised her to issue a brief, sincere apology. “Mistake–briefly acknowledge–correct it– move on confidently,” wrote one observer.

Accusations of Double Standard Emerge

The debate took a sharper turn when an old video resurfaced online, showing Mr. Elumelu in a 2022 interview with Chisom Obi-Okoye, an MBA student at Stanford Graduate School of Business in the United States. In that footage, the student interviewer addressed him as “Hi Tony” multiple times without any objection or correction from the businessman.

This discovery has led to widespread accusations of a double standard. Critics argue that Mr. Elumelu is willing to accept the casual, “Oyinbo” culture he decried when it suits him in an international setting but enforces a rigid traditional hierarchy at home. One Facebook user, Awuzie Frankline, questioned the inconsistency, stating, “Respect should be consistent not dependent on someone’s status, location or social class.”

Defense: ‘When in Rome, Behave Like The Romans’

In defense of the UBA Chairman, supporters have argued that there is no contradiction, as the two situations occurred in vastly different cultural contexts. They contend that Mr. Elumelu was simply adapting to the norms of his environment—behaving like the Romans while in Rome, as it were. In a formal corporate setting in Nigeria, they argue, it is appropriate to demand the traditional respect that is due to one’s elders and superiors. As one commentator put it, the issue is about “the need to adjust to culture and nuance as they come.”

Beyond the immediate controversy, the incident has opened a wider conversation about generational differences, the clash between traditional African values and Western corporate norms, and the importance of navigating social cues in professional environments.

Jide Akintunde, a social commentator, expressed surprise at Mr. Elumelu’s objection, noting that his first name has been central to his public and industry branding for years. He suggested that the public correction, while perhaps justified, could have been handled privately to avoid humiliating the young trainee.

As of Friday, the young woman at the center of the storm has not made a public statement. The video, however, continues to trend, serving as a potent reminder of the intricate and often unspoken rules that govern professional and social interactions in Nigeria.

Related Topics:

News

Nigeria’s Oil Output Hits 1.573m bpd as OPEC Production Rises–Report Says

Published

3 hours ago

on

September 11, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s crude oil production, excluding condensate, rose by 35,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.573 million bpd in August 2026, from 1.537 million bpd in July, according to the latest data from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The increase, representing a 2.3 per cent month-on-month (MoM) growth, places Nigeria among OPEC members that recorded higher production during the month.

OPEC, in its latest monthly data based on direct communication from member countries, said Nigeria’s August output was its highest monthly production level in the data provided for 2026.

The August figure also exceeded Nigeria’s average production of 1.552 million bpd in the second quarter of 2026, indicating a gradual improvement in upstream output.

The development comes amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government and oil producers to boost production through improved security, fresh upstream investments, new projects and the rehabilitation of existing assets.

Advert

Across OPEC, crude oil production increased by 346,000 bpd to 24.081 million bpd in August, from 23.735 million bpd in July.

Iraq recorded the largest increase among OPEC members, with output surging by 664,000 bpd to 3.378 million bpd. Kuwait followed with a 49,000-bpd increase to 1.894 million bpd, while the United Arab Emirates added 54,000 bpd to reach 3.835 million bpd.

Venezuela also increased production by 23,000 bpd to 1.145 million bpd.

However, some major producers recorded declines. Saudi Arabia’s output fell by 75,000 bpd to 7.276 million bpd, while Algeria and Libya declined by 8,000 bpd and 9,000 bpd to 999,000 bpd and 1.355 million bpd respectively.

Iran recorded the largest decline, with production dropping by 399,000 bpd to 2.086 million bpd.

Beyond OPEC, total production by the broader OPEC+ group, comprising OPEC members and participating non-OPEC producers under the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC), rose by 297,000 bpd to 38.055 million bpd in August.

Within the non-OPEC DoC group, Kazakhstan increased production by 159,000 bpd to 1.807 million bpd, while Russia cut output by 160,000 bpd to 8.718 million bpd.

For Nigeria, the latest production increase could provide some relief to government revenue and foreign exchange earnings, given the continued importance of crude oil exports to the economy.

Nigeria has set a target of raising crude oil production towards three million bpd by 2030, making sustained increases essential to achieving the ambition.

However, the country still faces significant challenges, including ageing fields, infrastructure constraints, crude theft, funding difficulties and the need to attract new investment into the upstream sector.

The August performance therefore represents progress, but maintaining the upward trend will be crucial if Nigeria is to close the gap between current production and its ambitious 2030 target.

Continue Reading

News

Subsidy Removal: Governors, Not Tinubu, Should Account for Funds — Gov Abiodun

Published

3 hours ago

on

September 11, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said state governors, rather than President Bola Tinubu, should be held responsible for explaining how funds accruing from the removal of petrol subsidy are being spent.

Abiodun said the removal of the subsidy had increased allocations to state governments, making governors better positioned to account for how the additional revenue was being utilised.

The governor spoke at a rally organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun.

He was reacting to criticism from opposition politicians over the management of funds saved from the removal of the petrol subsidy.

According to Abiodun, it was inappropriate to demand that Tinubu account for the gains from the policy when state governments receive increased allocations from the Federation Account.

He said governors had been using the additional funds to finance infrastructure and other development projects across their states.

“They said they want to return the subsidy. Are they mad? They were asking our leader to explain what he did with subsidy removal gains,” Abiodun said in Yoruba.

Advert

“It is we (governors) that should make such explanations because it is we, state governors, that collect the money.

“Besides, what have we been using to build roads, schools, provide good housing and incentives for farmers? Isn’t it from subsidy?”

The governor’s comments come amid renewed political arguments over the economic impact of the removal of petrol subsidy and how the resulting increase in government revenue has been distributed and spent.

Abiodun also used the occasion to attack opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the APC would defeat its political rivals.

“Go and tell your people that all of them are not up to one. We will defeat them mercilessly,” he said.

The controversy over the utilisation of funds associated with subsidy removal has featured prominently in the political debate in recent weeks.

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as a failure to account for the savings generated by the removal of the subsidy.

Atiku has also vowed to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that the government has not adequately explained how the savings from its removal have been utilised.

Tinubu, however, rejected the proposal, describing it as evidence of what he called “serious ignorance of governance and economy.”

The President also argued that some state governments were struggling to pay workers’ salaries and pensions before he assumed office, linking the improvement in states’ finances to the reforms introduced by his administration.

On August 19, Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the removal of the petrol subsidy had enabled the federation to mobilise N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025.

The figure has since featured in the broader debate over the fiscal impact of the subsidy removal and the extent to which the additional revenue has translated into improved public services and infrastructure.

Continue Reading

News

Sokoto Islamic Cleric Stabbed After Friday Prayers; Suspected Attacker Killed by Followers

Published

4 hours ago

on

September 11, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

An Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukwa, was stabbed shortly after leading the Friday prayer at his mosque in Mabera area of Sokoto metropolis on Friday.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Sokoto.

Rufa’i said the cleric was stabbed twice in the neck and taken to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, where he was receiving treatment and responding to it.

He said the suspected attacker was killed by the cleric’s followers after the incident, adding that no arrest had been made in connection with the ensuing violence.

Advert

According to him, the command had deployed security personnel to prevent the situation from escalating.

He said investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those involved.

The incident was reportedly linked to a previous sermon by the cleric which some Islamic scholars and their followers considered offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad.

A man identified as Mai Barewa had allegedly threatened the cleric and one of his senior students over the sermon.

He was subsequently arrested and arraigned before a court, with the case reportedly ongoing.

The cleric and his followers were also said to have written to the Sokoto State Government four days before the attack, expressing concern over the threats against them.

Following the incident, some youths reportedly protested in parts of the metropolis, including Sahara, Bello Way and Aliyu Jodi.

The development caused some shop owners to close their businesses, while security operatives were deployed to strategic locations to maintain law and order.

The police urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

Continue Reading

Trending