By Chido Nwakanma
The young intern’s encounter with outgoing UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu has created considerable buzz. It is a moment for reflection for Corporate Nigeria.
Culture is the silent architect of corporate reality. It does not merely decorate structures; it often drowns them, embedding nuances invisible to the untrained eye. It is not enough to sound like Silicon Valley; one must understand the local rhythms of respect.
A prominent Nigerian corporate thinker once proposed a pragmatic “halfway house” to address similar cultural friction. When professionals are frequently promoted or redeployed – shifting from HR Manager to Production Manager overnight – formal titles become a revolving door.
Dr Christopher Kolade (famously known as CK (DR)) proposed a solution: adopt personal initials that remain constant, regardless of any temporary designation.
This ensured that respect and identity followed the individual, even after retirement. It was intergenerational, deeply cultural, and uniquely relevant.
It became part of the Cadbury Nigeria culture.
Years ago, I explored this first-name subculture in a communication class at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University. The scenario remains instructive.
A Managing Director, fresh from foreign training, introduced a first-name policy at his bank, requiring it to permeate internal and external communication.
The strategy collapsed when client executives addressed their own customers – esteemed Chiefs and High Chiefs – as “Mr. [Surname].” The cultural slight was so profound that it bred resentment, threats, and ultimately the closure of high-value accounts.
The lesson is stark: Nigeria is not a “Simply Mister” culture. Nor is it a “Call Me Tony” one. We must navigate the complex interplay of modernity and tradition, ensuring that communication bridges the gap rather than widening it.
