What in the World - What’s the right way to address your boss?

Download What’s the right way to address your boss?

Imagine you’ve just started a new job or it’s your first day at uni. You’re talking to your boss or teacher, someone who’s much older, much richer, or much more powerful than you. Do you call them by their first name? Or do you go with Mr, Mrs, Professor, Doctor?

In Nigeria, a video of a young woman being corrected for calling a billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name has sparked a conversation about respect, age and power.

We speak to three Nigerians to get their take on the story and how you should refer to your boss.

Plus our reporter Basma El Atti in Nairobi, Kenya, tells us about the unwritten rules elsewhere in the world.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Emily Horler, Mollie Perella and Stefania Okereke
Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal
Editors: Verity Wilde

Published on Thursday, 3rd September 2026.

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