Gender Differentials in Igbo Apprenticeship System on Entrepreneurial Capacity of Igbo Women in Akure, Nigeria

The study assessed women exclusion practices in Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS) and its effects on the entrepreneurial capacity of Igbo women in Akure, Nigeria. The study is based on primary data and the major questions asked were what is the level of female gender exclusion from the IAS and what is the effect of excluding the female gender in IAS on the entrepreneurial capacity of women in Akure, Nigeria? The objectives of the study were to examine female gender exclusion in Igbo Apprenticeship System and investigate the effects of excluding the female gender in IAS on the entrepreneurial capacity of Igbo women in Akure Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed exclusion of female gender in IAS and female gender exclusion in IAS affects the entrepreneurial capacity of women in the study area. The study concludes that there are culturally assigned roles for men and women in Igbo society and this affects the entrepreneurial capacity of women in the study area. The study, therefore, recommends that significant steps should be taken by all stakeholders to incorporate women into the IAS as way of encouraging economic empowerment and entrepreneurship among Igbo women.