Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has joined the online debate surrounding a graduate trainee who addressed billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu by his first name during a corporate event.
A video showing the young woman referring to Elumelu as “Tony” during what appeared to be a programme organised by the Tony Elumelu Foundation recently went viral, triggering different opinions among Nigerians.
While some viewers considered the address inappropriate, others argued that there was nothing unusual about calling someone by their first name in a professional setting.
Sowore criticises Elumelu
Rather than faulting the trainee, Sowore turned his attention to Elumelu and used the controversy to question the businessman’s reaction to being called “Tony.”
In a post shared on X, the activist referenced his previous criticism of the billionaire and argued that the debate over the name was unnecessary.
Sowore wrote:
“Don’t call me Tony, call me Mr. Elumelu or ‘TOE.’ When I said Tony Elumelu is a content creator with little or no intellect, his supporters were enraged. Now, what exactly is the difference between being called ‘Tony’ and ‘TOE’? Much ado about nothing! This is what Nigerians used to call ‘money miss road.'”
See the post below:
“Don’t call me Tony, call me Mr. Elumelu or ‘TOE.’”
When I said Tony Elumelu is a content creator with little or no intellect, his supporters were enraged.
Now, what exactly is the difference between being called “Tony” and “TOE”? Much ado about nothing!
This is what Nigerians…
— Omoyele Sowore (@sowore) August 20, 2026
His post quickly attracted attention online, with social media users debating whether his comparison between “Tony” and “TOE” was valid.
The controversy has continued to generate discussion about workplace etiquette, respect for senior figures and whether professionals should address wealthy or influential individuals by their first names in formal settings.
Sowore’s intervention has now added another dimension to the debate, particularly because of his long-running criticism of Elumelu.
See comments below:
