The Igbo apprenticeship system, popularly known as “Igba Boi, or “Imu Ahia”,” is an age-long tradition that has helped shape generations of entrepreneurs and skilled workers.

The unique business model has long been a foundation of Igbo culture, facilitating economic empowerment and fostering generational wealth through training in trades, vocation or enterprise.

The system is a trust-based model where established business owners (ogas) mentor young apprentices (nwa-bois) for several years, ranging from three, seven to 10 years.

After completing their training, apprentices are settled with capital, tools or goods to start their own businesses.

This model has produced many entrepreneurs and has been instrumental in wealth creation, job generation, and poverty reduction in Nigeria, especially in the southern part of the country.

In spite of its success, the system faces several challenges, especially in the modern era of e-commerce.

One of the key issues is the lack of “formal structure”.

READ ALSO: A life, legacy, lively celebration: Alhaji Abdulfatai Dawodu turns 90

I shed tears after making almajiris shoe merchants — Gov Abdullahi Sule

Many apprenticeships are based on informal agreements, with no clear documentation or legal framework to protect both parties.

This leaves many apprentices vulnerable to exploitation, with little recourse if their agreements are breached.

Additionally, the traditional system often relies heavily on manual labour and face-to-face interaction, which can be a barrier in the digital age.

As development through technology continues to reshape industries, stakeholders say there is an urgent need to incorporate digital skills training into the apprenticeship framework.

The Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, had in April 2024, established a committee to modernise the system, recognising its potential for economic growth and development.

Recently, Anambra Government, led by Prof Charlse Soludo, officially passed the “Igbo Apprenticeship Bill” into law, providing a robust legal framework for the system.

The law caps apprenticeship duration at seven years, mandates basic education for apprentices, and establishes the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission to oversee training standards and resolve disputes.

Stakeholders have argued that giving the system an upgrade through technology and legal backing will go a long way in protecting the apprentices, and settling dispute that usually occurred in the process of training the apprentices.

Mr Ikeuwa Omebe, Ebonyi Commissioner for Information and Orientation, described the Igbo apprenticeship system as a veritable means of grooming young chaps into entrepreneur.

Omebe, also a lawyer, said that there was every need to have legislative backing to the model for sustainable economic growth.

“To me, the Igbo apprenticeship system has come of age; many successful men you see today in the society passed through the model.

“There are wonderful people today; I support the idea of giving it legal backing.

“I believe other state in the South-East and Nigeria will do the same like that of Anambra, which has signed the bill into law.

“It is worrisome that the model has been without legislation, making many business owners (ogas) to abuse and exploit the apprentices; the legal framework will curb such ill treatment to apprentices.”

He regretted a situation where an apprentice would serve out his training and the master would wake up with an allegation and dismiss him without settlement.

According to him, the legislation will define the duties of the apprentice and the duties of the master, who is the boss.

He said that the duration to stay with the master and level of settlement after the completion of the training would also be formally documented.

The commissioner, who said that he was once an apprentice, further commended the people that came up with the idea of apprenticeship system, noting that it had done well to Igbos in skills and job generations.

“Yes, I served my master in faraway Benin City; my master was into electrical appliances but my dream then was to further my education to the university level.

“My master’s plan was that I should register for a part-time study in the university, but as a grown up boy I preferred being a full time student.

“I thank God, everything went successful; I encourage the young people in the streets to pick up a skill, learn it to become self-reliance.

“I commend the governor of Anambra on the move to protect the right of the apprentices,” Omebe said.

Mrs Stella Chukwu-Ekezie, Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ebonyi, said that the apprenticeship system was a mutually beneficial arrangement between a master (business owner) and an apprentice.

According to Chukwu-Ekezie, the apprentice works under the master for a set period, often between three or more years, in exchange for food, shelter, and hands-on training.

“At the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice is typically given startup capital to begin their own business, with many going on to become successful entrepreneurs themselves.

“Yes, the system has been faced with challenges; it is being bastardised by many business owners.

“A situation where the apprentices are used and dumped after spending years in training is condemnable.

“This is because there are no formal agreements or legal backing.”

Chukwu-Ekezie said that there was need for  modernisation of the traditional method in order to protect the apprentices and promote entrepreneurship among the unemployed youths.

“The Federal Government, through the NDE, has been into the system, but in a more advanced ways.

NDE’s system is one of the government policies to reduce the unemployment and generate jobs.

“I get annoyed when I hear that an apprentice spent years with a business owner and such person will not be given starter pack to begin his or her business.

“If the traditional system receives legal backing in every state, some of the agreed method of settlement after learning a skill will no longer be defied.

“NDE has raised so many entrepreneurs in different skills through our incubators and masters trainers; we have number of periods for training ranging from one month to one year,” she said.

Mr Kenneth Enyi, a legal practitioner, said it was good to formalise and regulate such recognised model of wealth creation and business mentorship among the Igbo people.

“This model is not only applicable to Igbos; the Yoruba people and Benin in Edo have their own model; they venture into mechanics and repairs.

“The Igbos are mainly into learning trading in all major markets across the country.

“Yes, in Anambra, Soludo has made the move by signing the traditional apprenticeship system into law; under the legislation in the state, basic education has been made a compulsory requirement for participation.

“The provisions stated that, any individual who wishes to enroll in the apprenticeship scheme must complete at least Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3).

“This is to ensure that the apprentice possess foundational literacy and numeracy skills that will enhance their effectiveness in business and life after the apprenticeship.

“The stipulated period for the apprenticeship system in that state is now seven years,” Enyi said.

He urged for utilisation of digital platforms to track apprenticeship progress, facilitate mentorship, and provide access to funding and markets.

“There should also be gender inclusion by promoting female participation and creating safe workspaces for them,” Enyi advised.

Mr Mike Nwankwor, a welder, said that the process of undergoing training to start a business had done more good to the people of Igbo in business and economic development.

Nwankwor, who has four trainees currently under his watch, said they had spent one, three, four months and six years respectively.

Mr Theophilus Onu, mechanic, said that modernising the system could bring a lot of benefits, including a boost to skill acquisitions and job creations.

“The system had empowered so many individuals to start their own businesses and it has contributed immensely to economic growth,” he said.

Observers say providing legal frameworks for the Igba-boi system  will declog it, remove subterfuges and create a mutually-beneficial scheme for both masters and apprentices.

They say, however, that there is a need for caution in order not to disrupt Igba-boi’s intrinsic mentorship and stakeholders-driven principles. (NANFeatures)