Nigerian billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has sparked reactions online after objecting to being addressed simply as “Tony” by a woman during an encounter.
In a video circulating on social media, the businessman appeared to caution the woman after she addressed him by his first name, insisting that such familiarity was not acceptable to him.
Elumelu, who is widely known publicly by his first name, reportedly explained that he does not subscribe to what he described as the “Oyinbo life” of addressing older or accomplished people casually by their first names.
The incident has generated discussions online, with some Nigerians supporting Elumelu’s position on respect and cultural values, while others argued that first-name addressing is common in professional and corporate environments.
The billionaire businessman is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and chairman of Heirs Holdings. He has also served as Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), where he is scheduled to retire from the group board on August 21, 2026, after completing the maximum 12-year tenure for non-executive directors.
