A UBA trainee, two rulebooks, one public trial

A brief interaction between a young United Bank for Africa (UBA) trainee and CEO Tony Elumelu during a graduation ceremony has ignited a widespread online discussion about corporate etiquette, generational differences, and Nigerian values. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows the trainee addressing Elumelu as "Good morning, Tony," prompting him to correct her and suggest she use "Mr Elumelu" or "TOE."

The trainee promptly complied, repeating her greeting as "Good morning, Mr Elumelu" before proceeding with her question. While the exchange was brief and the trainee immediately adjusted, the video's online circulation quickly led to a debate. Many viewers characterized the trainee as disrespectful, lacking emotional intelligence, and representative of a decline in Nigerian values, particularly among Gen Z.

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Good morning, Tony.

However, the article suggests a more nuanced interpretation, questioning whether the trainee was simply adhering to a corporate communication culture she had been taught. It notes that first-name usage in Nigerian banking is not uncommon. Historically, some banks, like Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), deliberately fostered an informal environment where employees across ranks were encouraged to use first names, even with senior executives.

Research into GTBank's organizational culture indicates that founders Fola Adeola and Tayo Aderinokun were addressed as "Fola" and "Tayo" by employees, despite holding the highest positions. This historical context, including Elumelu's own past as CEO of Standard Trust Bank before its merger with UBA, suggests that corporate communication norms can vary significantly and evolve over time. The incident thus raises questions about the expectations and training within modern corporate environments, rather than solely focusing on the individual trainee's manners.

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Good morning, Mr Elumelu.