Nollywood actress Lizzy Jay has stirred conversations online after reacting to a viral video of a female graduate trainee who addressed billionaire Tony Elumelu by his first name during a public event. The incident, which has divided social media users, prompted Lizzy Jay to question the audacity of the young woman in her Instagram post on August 20, 2026.

In her video response, Lizzy Jay expressed her disbelief, asking, "Where did you get the audacity from?" She emphasized that such familiarity with a figure of Elumelu's stature was inappropriate. The actress used this moment to highlight the importance of respect and cultural values, particularly in public interactions with influential figures.

Lizzy Jay took the opportunity to praise her colleague Toyin Abraham, whom she described as a role model for respect and proper behavior in Nigerian society. She noted that if Toyin had been in the same situation, she would have shown her reverence in a more dramatic fashion, even mentioning that she would somersault to express her respect for the UBA chairman.

The actress further shared her personal approach to addressing wealthy individuals, stating that she would have greeted Elumelu with "Good morning, daddy." Lizzy Jay explained that she finds it natural to refer to affluent and influential people as "daddy," viewing it as a sign of honor rather than something to overthink.

The incident has sparked mixed reactions online, with some viewers supporting the trainee's boldness while others agree with Lizzy Jay's stance on maintaining respect in such interactions. Linda Ikeji's Blog also reported on the incident, noting that discussions surrounding the appropriateness of the trainee's actions continue to unfold among the public.

As the debate rages on, it remains clear that Lizzy Jay's comments have resonated with many who value the cultural significance of respect in Nigerian society, particularly when addressing prominent figures like Tony Elumelu.