Public affairs commentator, Dr. Ope Banwo, has described the growing acceptance of first-name relationships between younger Nigerians and older people as a sign of increasing cultural confusion, arguing that traditional African values around age and respect should not be dismissed as backward.
Banwo made the observation while commenting on the controversy surrounding a young woman who casually addressed businessman and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman, Tony Elumelu, as “Tony.”
According to him, the debate goes beyond the personality of Elumelu or his status as a billionaire, focusing instead on what constitutes appropriate behaviour within the Nigerian cultural environment.
Banwo argued that age has traditionally carried significant cultural weight in African societies, particularly in how younger people relate to elders.
He said the issue would remain relevant even if Elumelu were not wealthy or influential, stressing that the question was whether a considerably younger person should casually address an older person by his first name without considering the cultural setting.
“WHEN DID IT BECOME NORMAL IN NIGERIAN CULTURE FOR A twenty something YEAR-OLD TO ADDRESS A SIXTY SOMETHING YEAR-OLD ELDER, WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE HER BOSS AND CHAIRMAN, SIMPLY AS ‘TONY’?” he asked.
Banwo, however, clarified that he understands modern corporate culture, having worked in an organisation where first-name communication was the established practice.
He recalled that during his time at Arthur Andersen, employees addressed colleagues and senior executives by their first names, regardless of age or position.
He said he complied with the practice because it was part of the organisation’s corporate culture, although he personally found it unusual because it differed from how he was raised.
Banwo maintained that corporate culture should not automatically override local cultural norms, particularly when an organisation has not adopted a first-name culture.
He questioned why Western practices should be treated as the universal standard for determining how people should relate in African societies.
According to him, Americans may consider first-name usage a means of promoting equality, while other societies maintain different systems of respect and seniority.
He cited Japan and Korea as examples of societies where age and status continue to influence forms of address and interpersonal relationships.
Banwo argued that African societies should equally be allowed to preserve cultural practices around age and respect without automatically being labelled backward.
He stressed that the controversy should not be reduced to class worship or deference to Elumelu because of his wealth.
Rather, he said, the discussion should focus on whether younger people should understand the cultural expectations of the environment in which they live and work.
Banwo concluded that the incident involving Elumelu reflects a larger struggle over cultural identity, as Nigerians increasingly negotiate between traditional African values and Western influences.