By Azeez Olakunle Yunus
Today, I took the liberty of expressing my OPINION on the recent exchange between a young graduate trainee and businessman Tony Elumelu, which has sparked an important conversation that goes far beyond the question of whether a young person should address an elder by his first name.
At its heart, the incident raises a deeper issue: are many African youths beginning to view their own culture through a borrowed lens?
During a public event, the trainee addressed the respected entrepreneur simply as “Tony.” While some defended her action as a reflection of modern corporate culture, Mr. Elumelu politely corrected her, noting that he did not subscribe to what he described as that “Oyinbo lifestyle.”
The debate that followed reflects a growing cultural tension across Nigeria and much of Africa. On one hand, young people are increasingly exposed to Western media, corporate practices and social norms. On the other hand, African societies are built on values that place importance on respect for elders, leaders and established social roles.
The real question is not whether Western culture is good or bad. The challenge is whether Africans are adopting foreign practices thoughtfully or merely copying them without considering local realities. Every society develops customs that reflect its history, values and social structure. What works in London, New York or Amsterdam may not always fit naturally into Lagos, Abuja or Nairobi.
Many members of Generation Z have been raised in a digital world where global trends travel faster than local traditions. As a result, some young Africans can name foreign celebrities, influencers and social movements more easily than they can explain the cultural values of their own communities. This is not entirely their fault. It is a consequence of decades of cultural influence that has often presented African traditions as outdated while portraying foreign lifestyles as the standard that must be followed.
Africa’s future should not be built on cultural imitation. Rather, it should be built on cultural confidence. Decolonising the minds of African youths does not mean rejecting modernity, innovation or global engagement. It means teaching young people to engage with the world without losing their roots. It means understanding that progress and respect can coexist, and that modern professionalism does not require the abandonment of African identity.
The lesson from the Elumelu episode is, therefore, bigger than a name. It is a reminder that true development is not merely about importing ideas from elsewhere. It is about knowing who we are, valuing where we come from, and ensuring that in our pursuit of global relevance, we do not lose sight of ourselves in a borrowed mirror.
The Role of African Parents in Shaping Cultural Confidence
Meanwhile, a significant part of the responsibility for preserving cultural identity rests with parents and families. Children are not born disconnected from their roots; they learn values from what they see, hear and experience at home. African parents must, therefore, go beyond providing food, shelter and formal education. They must deliberately teach their children the values, customs and social norms that have sustained African societies for generations.
In an age dominated by social media, streaming platforms and foreign cultural influences, many young people spend more time learning from digital personalities than from their own communities. As a result, some grow up fluent in global trends but unfamiliar with the cultural principles that define respect, responsibility and communal living in African society. Parents have a duty to bridge this gap by exposing children to local history, indigenous languages, family traditions and the importance of respectful conduct in different social settings.
However, preserving culture does not mean raising children to be rigid or resistant to change. The goal should be to produce young Africans who are globally competitive while remaining firmly grounded in their heritage. A child should be able to interact confidently in international environments without losing an appreciation for the values that shaped him or her.
Why Social Intelligence Matters More Than Ever
I had an encounter with a former director of a Federal Government agency recently where I had the privilege of being schooled on “Social Intelligence” as different from the emotional intelligence that some are familiar with.
Beyond academic qualifications and technical skills, today’s young people need social intelligence, the ability to understand people, interpret situations and respond appropriately to different contexts. Social intelligence is what enables a person to know when to be informal and when formal respect is required. It teaches that behaviour acceptable among friends may not be suitable in a professional, cultural or ceremonial setting.
Life is a complex journey filled with diverse relationships, cultures and power structures. Success often depends not only on what a person knows, but also on how effectively they navigate these realities. A socially intelligent individual understands that respect is not a sign of weakness or inferiority. Rather, it is a demonstration of emotional maturity, self-awareness and wisdom.
For Africa’s Generation Z, the challenge is not choosing between being modern and being African. The real challenge is learning how to be both. A young person who combines global exposure with cultural awareness, confidence with humility, and ambition with respect will grow up to be far better equipped to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world and we have seen this great Nigerians- male and female – who are serving Nigeria in different capacities abroad and yet, never, for once, diminish the African cultural orientation.
Ultimately, the future of Africa will be shaped by a generation that knows how to engage the world without abandoning its identity. True progress is not found in copying every foreign trend, but in developing the wisdom to distinguish between what should be adopted, what should be adapted, and what should be preserved. This is the essence of genuine cultural confidence and the foundation for a stronger African future.
I rest my case, as our Learned Colleagues in the legal profession would say.
