Media entrepreneur and EbonyLife founder, Mo Abudu, has spoken in favour of traditional workplace etiquette, saying she is uncomfortable with younger people addressing her casually by her first name.
Abudu made the remarks during an appearance on Toke Moments with Toke Makinwa, where she explained that her upbringing strongly influenced her views on respect and how older people should be addressed. According to the media executive, she was raised by her grandmother in Ondo and grew up in an environment where age and social position were important considerations when speaking to others.
“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!” Abudu said during the conversation. When asked if she preferred to be addressed as “Aunty,” she maintained that she did not approve of younger people casually calling her by her first name.
Her comments have added fresh attention to the growing debate about workplace relationships and the changing meaning of respect in modern corporate environments. The discussion gained renewed public attention following an incident involving UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, at a graduation ceremony for the bank’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme. A trainee who addressed him as “Tony” was corrected and subsequently referred to him as “Mr Elumelu.”
The incident generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians supporting the chairman’s insistence on formal address, while others argued that first-name interactions are increasingly common in modern workplaces. Abudu’s position places her among those who believe that age, experience and professional status should continue to influence how individuals address one another.
The businesswoman also spoke about gender perceptions in the corporate world, questioning the description of her as a “shark.” She argued that a successful and assertive man displaying similar qualities would be less likely to receive the same label, suggesting that women in leadership are often judged differently from their male counterparts.
As the founder of EbonyLife Media, Abudu has built a major presence in Nigeria’s entertainment and media industry and expanded the brand internationally. Her recent public comments continue to highlight her views on professionalism, respect and the different standards women can face while building successful careers.
