UBA Trainee Controversy: Class War, Not Culture Clash

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), commented on the controversy surrounding a trainee from the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP) who addressed the bank’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name. Sowore argued that this incident is indicative of a class war rather than a mere culture clash.

The controversy arose after a video from the UBA GMAP graduation ceremony went viral, showing the trainee greeting Elumelu with “Good morning, Tony,” which led to Elumelu correcting her to use “Mr Elumelu” or “TOE.” Sowore revealed that a senior UBA official contacted him regarding the treatment of the trainee, and he expressed that the incident reflects the hierarchical class structure in Nigerian society. He emphasized that the reaction to the trainee's address should be viewed in the context of societal norms regarding respect and deference based on social status.