Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has sparked a conversation about respect, age and cultural values after explaining why she corrects younger people who address her by her first name.
In a podcast clip, Bello said she does not believe younger people should casually call her “Shaffy,” arguing that the privilege of addressing elders by their first names should be earned.
“When a child calls me by my name, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right, and you never will,’” she said.
The actress added that even children in the United States address her respectfully as “Ma’am,” despite the more informal culture often associated with first-name greetings.
“This is Africa after all,” Bello said, stressing the importance she places on traditional forms of respect.
Her comments have generated mixed reactions online. Some Nigerians praised Bello for defending African cultural values, noting that titles such as “Aunty,” “Uncle,” “Ma,” “Sir” and “Ma’am” have traditionally been used to show respect to older people and those in positions of authority.
Others, however, argued that social norms are changing, particularly in workplaces and international environments where using first names can simply be a sign of friendliness rather than disrespect.
The debate also echoes a recent moment involving United Bank for Africa Chairman Tony Elumelu, who reportedly asked a trainee to address him as “Mr. Elumelu” rather than “Tony,” reigniting discussions about workplace hierarchy and appropriate forms of address.
For supporters of Bello’s position, the issue goes beyond a name and reflects broader questions about how younger generations relate to elders. Critics, meanwhile, believe respect should be demonstrated through behaviour and professionalism rather than automatically attached to someone’s age or title.
Bello’s comments have therefore reopened a familiar cultural debate: should young people always use titles when addressing older Nigerians, or should individuals be free to choose whether they prefer formal or first-name interactions?
