The ‘Tony’ Incident: Critical lessons for Gen Z — by Akin Olaniyan
It’s difficult to determine the exact age of the young woman in that now-viral video with the Tony Elumelu, who retires today as the Chairman of the UBA Group. Regardless, the audacity and a general lack of proper understanding of her environment suggests she is probably in that ‘interesting’ demographic.
As usual, the online reactions have been too emotive and hysterical for us to make real sense of the encounter. For the sake of Gen Z professionals, however, this event should not be dismissed as “an old man being petty.” Instead, it is a masterclass in Situational Awareness and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) . Here are the key takeaways and lessons for our young folks:
- Distinguish Between “Brand” and “Reality”: A leader’s social media persona (approachable “Tony”) is often a PR tool. Their real-world expectations remain traditional. Learn to read the room: a formal auditorium with media present requires a different register than a Slack channel.
- Develop Cultural Intelligence (CQ) over Emotional Reactivity: In global business, CQ is as valuable as IQ. In emerging markets, respect for hierarchy is not “backwardness”; it is a functional operating system. Adapting to it is not a loss of identity – it is strategic competence.
- Earn the Right to Be Informal: Breaking formal protocols is a privilege earned through tenure, proven results, and a deep understanding of the organisational culture. As a trainee on Day One, you have not yet earned that currency. Plus most banks and corporate environments in Nigeria remain hierachical.
- Professionalism is Non-Negotiable: Research consistently shows that employers rate Gen Z lowest on professional communication and interpersonal maturity. Using correct titles is a low-effort, high-return way to neutralize negative stereotypes and signal that you take your career seriously.
- Voice Your Ideals Strategically: If you believe in flatter structures, advocate for them – but do so through proper channels (e.g., HR initiatives, feedback forums), not by unilaterally disregarding the sitting Chairman’s title on a public stage.
Final Thoughts: The “Tony” incident is a microcosm of the broader generational tectonic shift. For Gen Z, the lesson is not to abandon their values of equality and authenticity, but to layer strategic cultural intelligence on top of them.
True power lies in being able to navigate both worlds: knowing when to bow to tradition to gain a seat at the table, and later, using that seat to influence change. In the corporate jungle, survival favours those who are adaptable, not those who are simply “right” about how things should be.
