By Ifeoma Aniagbado
The Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening and institutionalising the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme, popularly known as Igba Boi, as a sustainable strategy for youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.
The reaffirmation was made on July 9 during the 127th Inaugural Lecture delivered by Prof. Chinedu Uzochukwu Onyeizugbe of the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences. The lecture focused on an improved model of the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme and its role in driving small and medium-scale enterprise development in Nigeria.
Representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim noted that the administration’s efforts to formalise and strengthen the Igba Boi system were initially underestimated but have now earned national recognition.
He said several states are studying the Anambra model with the intention of adapting it to their local contexts, describing the development as evidence of Anambra’s leadership in youth development and enterprise promotion.
According to him, the Soludo administration is determined to continuously improve the scheme so that future generations inherit a more structured, impactful and sustainable system capable of creating wealth, expanding opportunities and empowering young people.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of Prof. Onyeizugbe’s book, Navigating the Labyrinth of SME Development in Nigeria: Unveiling an Improved Model of the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme as a Mitigant. The publication was officially launched by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie.
Speaking in an interview, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr Patrick Agha-Mba, commended Prof. Onyeizugbe for his contribution to youth development through his extensive research on the Igbo apprenticeship scheme.
He described the publication as a significant intellectual contribution that complements Governor Soludo’s youth empowerment agenda and praised the professor’s leadership as Chairman of the One Youth, Two Skills (1Y2S) Programme.
In his lecture and publication, Prof. Onyeizugbe examined the development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, the role of financial institutions and the contributions of international development partners, including the World Bank and the United Nations.
He presented a comprehensive analysis of the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme, exploring its evolution, defining characteristics, challenges and the significance of the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Law in institutionalising the age-long system.
It reinforced Anambra State’s position under Governor Soludo as a leading force in preserving, modernising and promoting the Igba Boi system as a catalyst for sustainable economic transformation.
The event attracted traditional rulers, senior government officials, academics, business leaders, students and members of the media, underscoring the growing national and international recognition of the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme as an innovative model for enterprise development.
Ifeoma Aniagbado is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
