Billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu has reignited social media buzz by sharing a highlight reel from UBA's Graduate Management Accelerated Programme Class 2026 graduation ceremony on Thursday, August 21, 2026. The video, posted on his Instagram page, comes days after a viral moment in which a young executive trainee addressed him as 'Tony' during the same event, prompting a public correction from the billionaire.
The footage, set to Peter Okoye's song "I Can't Look Away," shows Elumelu on stage presenting awards, engaging with graduates, and soaking in the energy of the crowd during what was clearly a proud institutional moment for the bank. The clip was shared amid ongoing online conversations about the earlier exchange, which had already sent Nigerian social media into overdrive.
Viral 'Tony' Moment Resurfaces
In the original viral incident, the trainee greeted Elumelu with the words "Good morning, Tony" while addressing him during the ceremony. Elumelu appeared to mishear her at first, responding with "Toyin? Toyin?" before she clarified what she had actually said. He then told her plainly to address him as "Mr Elumelu" or "TOE."
The exchange had already generated widespread debate before the graduation clip was posted, with many social media users weighing in on the appropriateness of the greeting and Elumelu's response. The new video has added fuel to the conversation, with fans combing through the footage for any sign of the trainee at the centre of the story.
Fans Notice Trainee's Absence in Video
Some fans on Instagram immediately began scanning the footage for the trainee, and many were quick to note that she does not appear to feature in the video. This observation sparked a fresh wave of reactions, with commenters expressing a mix of amusement, criticism, and support for the young woman.
@georgeokoro commented: "With all this monumental achievements, her mouth wasn't heavy?"
@kayode_ala wrote: "The person that compiled this video? you didn't add the reason we're here."
@aishaarh_ reacted: "You see as them no feature her abi? very good."
@yaru_yeruma said: "Hello Tony, you need to apologize to that young lady, thank you."
@olayimartha shared: "Not me looking for her in the crowd!"
Elumelu's Recent Business Gains
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nigerian investor Tony Elumelu made an estimated return of over N680bn in just five months. This massive profit came solely from acquiring a controlling stake in Seplat Energy Plc through his company, Heirs Energies Limited. The firm initially bought the shares from the French company Maurel & Prom for $496 million before the price surged remarkably.
The graduation video post comes at a time when Elumelu remains a prominent figure in both business and public discourse, with his actions and words often drawing significant attention across Nigerian social media platforms.
