Igbo Apprenticeship and the Sustenance of the Nigerian Economy

Abstract The Igbos are well-known for their industriousness and doggedness when it comes to fending for their livelihood. The Igbo apprentice system tends to emphasis this assertion, seen as an extension of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbos, where an induction strategy is utilized to induct mostly young Igbos, though without a clear cut age limit or bracket, into entrepreneurial ventures by established Igbo entrepreneurs who reside in urban areas and are locally referred to as “Oga” (Master), while the apprentice is called “Nwa odibo” or “Nwa nga”(House/Trade Boy). This paper tries to lend a voice to the importance of the Igbo traditional apprenticeship scheme, which seems presently to have been relegated to the backward. It will among other things consider the challenges and prospects of the entrepreneurial apprentice scheme, which it argues could be a panacea to the lingering unemployment and economic quagmire particularly in Igbo land and generally in Nigeria. Oral interviews, personal visits, observations and relevant literature were used as sources of data collection. The method adopted was historical narrative, with thematic and analytic approach. The paper suggests on how to resuscitate the cultural apprenticeship scheme that carved an economic niche for the Igbo. It concludes with recommendations on vital modifications that could help the scheme to remove noted bottlenecks on the part of the mentor and mentee, with the call on government to step in to moderate the scheme. Key words: The Igbo, Apprenticeship system, Entrepreneurial, Trade, Economy