Media mogul Mo Abudu has joined Nigeria’s growing debate over workplace respect. She says she will not accept younger people casually calling her by her first name.
The EbonyLife CEO shared her views during an appearance on Toke Moments with Toke Makinwa. She said her traditional upbringing shaped how she views respect and titles.
Mo Abudu Says She Is “Very Traditional”
Abudu said her grandmother raised her in Ondo. She explained that her upbringing taught her to show respect to older people.
“I am very traditional. I was brought up in Ondo by my grandmother.
“You can’t be calling me by my first name anyhow. I won’t take it!” she said.
Makinwa then asked if Abudu expected younger people to call her “Aunty.” Abudu confirmed that she does not welcome casual use of her first name by younger people.
Her comments come weeks after another incident sparked a similar debate across Nigeria.
Tony Elumelu Incident Sparks Debate
UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu recently faced a similar situation at a graduation ceremony.
The event marked the graduation of trainees from UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme. During the ceremony, a trainee addressed Elumelu simply as “Tony.”
Elumelu stopped the trainee during the greeting. She quickly corrected herself and said, “Good morning, Mr Elumelu.”
A video of the exchange later went viral on social media. The incident divided public opinion.
Some Nigerians supported Elumelu’s reaction. They argued that younger people should show respect to older and more senior people.
Others disagreed with the approach. They said first-name interactions have become common in many modern workplaces.
Abudu Takes a Traditional View
Abudu’s comments show that she shares the more traditional view of workplace respect.
For her, age and seniority still matter when people address their seniors. Her position also comes as Nigerian workplaces continue to balance traditional values with changing corporate culture.
Beyond the debate over names, Abudu also discussed how people view successful women in business.
Mo Abudu on Being Called a “Shark”
Abudu pushed back against the way some people describe her as a “shark” in business.
She argued that people may not use the same label for a man who shows similar ambition and strength.
The media mogul said the difference reflects a wider issue in how society views successful women. She suggested that women often face different descriptions when they display traits that people praise in men.
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