An encounter between United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman, Tony Elumelu, and a female graduand of the bank’s Graduate Management Acceleration Programme (GMAP) 2026 has sparked discussion on social media.

In a video circulating online, the graduand was seen interacting with Elumelu during an engagement when she addressed him by his first name, “Tony.”

Elumelu promptly corrected her, asking that she use a more formal form of address.

“No, you won’t call me Tony… You call me Mr. Elumelu, or TOE or Chairman,” Elumelu responded.

He further explained his position, saying he does not subscribe to what he described as casual foreign-style familiarity in professional settings.