Mo Abudu Rejects Casual First-Name Addressing in Nigeria

Mo Abudu, the CEO of EbonyLife, expressed her views on the ongoing debate regarding respect and workplace etiquette in Nigeria, stating she will not accept being casually addressed by her first name, especially by younger people. During an appearance on Toke Moments with Toke Makinwa, Abudu attributed her stance to her traditional upbringing in Ondo, where she was raised by her grandmother.

She stated, "You can't be calling me by my first name anyhow. I won't take it!" This statement comes in the wake of a recent incident at a graduation ceremony for UBA's Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, where a trainee was interrupted by UBA's Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, for addressing him simply as "Tony." This incident went viral, sparking divided opinions on the appropriateness of casual first-name usage in professional settings.

Abudu's comments reinforce a generational expectation for formal address as a marker of respect, contrasting with the trend towards more informal interactions in modern workplaces.