Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Describes The Igbo Apprenticeship System As A Good Way Of Building Wealth Among People

The vice president of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo recently described the Igbo apprenticeship model otherwise known as ‘Igba-boi’ as a good way of building wealth among people. He disclosed this while speaking virtually from Abuja to participants of a national summit in Awka, who convened to understudy the model, which is said to have produced several millionaires in Nigeria, especially in the Eastern part.

Speaking on the model of Igbo Apprenticeship System which is popularly known as ‘Igba-boi’ in Igbo Language, Osinbajo harped on the need to encourage the scheme to ensure continuation. In his words, “The Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme ‘Igba-boi’ has become the most popular indigenous Nigerian economic institution, globally recognized as the world’s largest business incubator. The scheme has the full potential to do for the Nigerian economy what similar apprenticeship schemes have done in many parts of the world, especially in Germany and India. I commend the organizers of the event, and I am hopeful that the summit will improve the growth and possibilities for the Igbo apprenticeship scheme”.

While speaking on the theme, ‘Repositioning the Igbo apprenticeship scheme for sustainable Economic Development’, the keynote speaker Dr. Obiora Okonkwo recommended that the scheme should be institutionalized. He attributed his success in life to the Igbo apprenticeship scheme which he said he engaged in during the early days of his life at Onitsha main market Anambra state.

It is a known fact that the Igbo apprenticeship System has been recognized as the largest business incubator in the world, as thousands of ventures are developed and established yearly through it. It is interesting to know that the Igbo Apprenticeship system, ‘Igba-boi’ is studied at Harvard Business School London, which was proposed by erudite Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe. Taking it beyond Harvard Business School, Professor Ndubisi also runs Tekedia Institute, where he unveiled the first academic program on ‘Igba-boi’, the Igbo apprenticeship system.

Upon graduation, the institute awards an advanced diploma certificate in ‘Igba-boi’, the Igbo apprenticeship system to those who enrolled in the program. This is indeed a laudable initiative from Prof. Ndubisi as he deemed it fit to take the Igbo apprenticeship system beyond the shores of Africa, to make it globally recognized. It is not just enough for the government to acknowledge and encourage the scheme, they need to take a cue from this and institutionalize the Igbo apprenticeship System if they are hell-bent on building the economy of the country. It is time to walk the talk.

I see no reason why they should dilly-dally on implementing and improving the system when it is already studied abroad. It is displeasing to note that the Igbo apprenticeship system to date is still undocumented in the country. It is time to upgrade the system by documenting it for secondary and tertiary institutions, and also for the global business world. To properly ensure the improvement in the economy of the country, like the Israeli’s mandatory national military service, the government should consider making the Igbo Apprenticeship System mandatory for secondary and Tertiary institutions by including it in their curriculum.

It has often been said in the country that the Igbo apprenticeship system has produced more millionaires in Nigeria than the entire University system. The scheme has been pivotal in the reduction of poverty, especially in Igbo land by mass scaling opportunities for everyone, as it focuses on community and the distribution of wealth. Adopting the system by the government will greatly help in the circulation of wealth in the country thereby reducing poverty and unemployment. More successful entrepreneurs will be created through the system and their economic activities will aid development in the country, thereby boosting the economy.