Two countries have called, a World Bank funded project has called, and many universities are asking questions. Nigeria’s Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS) can even yield forex if we do it well. Like the Confucius of China, Kaizen of Japan, Six Sigma of the United States, Nigeria has a chance to propel IAS at the heart of the new global stakeholder capitalism.
I have defined the IAS thus: “The Igbo Apprenticeship System is a business philosophy of shared prosperity where participants co-opetitively participate to attain organic economic equilibrium where accumulated market leverageable factors are constantly weighted and calibrated out, via dilution and surrendering of market share, enabling social resilience and formation of livable clusters, engineered by major participants funding their competitors, with success measured on quantifiable support to stakeholders, and not by absolute market dominance.”
Comment on LinkedIn Feed
Comment: I am aware there is an apprenticeship system among every ethnic group in Nigeria, Ndubuisi. Each one nearly similar to the Igbo apprenticeship system, some even better. Yorubas, Hausas, Fulanis, Idomas, and others have it.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
Historically, it appears to have been the primitive learning institution for almost every race. I do not think any single tribe or race in the world can claim any form of ownership on this principle.
Rather than attributing ownership of this principle to any ethnic group, I feel it would be best to focus on developing the general principle as it exists.
Response: a.H, the difference with the Igbo Apprenticeship System and why the world is paying attention is that it has real data to justify that it works. In 1970, every Igbo began with 20 pounds. Within 40 years and using the IAS, they have acquired 70% of all real estate in Abuja. No other ethnic apprenticeship in Africa has created that level of wealth. More so, South East Nigeria has the highest literacy rate in Nigeria, on average. Imo tops at 96.43% (out of every 100 people above 15 years, 96 can read/write)
Yet, that was a place that began from zero, after war, with 20 pounds even if that person had one million, So, while every tribe has apprenticeship, none has delivered market results that IAS has offered and that is what is unique. The Igbos are supposed to be the poorest today in Nigeria. Yet, UN ranked them highest. Sorry, I have to bring this which usually divide but I need to respond with data.
I will not be spending time if there is no value in it. I hope you open your mind and let us advance Nigeria instead of the usual tribal arrows.
---
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Feb 10 - May 3, 2025), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here.
