By Kenechukwu Ofomah, Awka
The 7-year maximum duration stipulated under the new Igbo Apprenticeship (Igba Boi) Law passed on Tuesday by the Anambra State House of Assembly has come under criticism from stakeholders who consider it unnecessarily long.
The law, which comes into effect on September 10, 2025, provides a legal framework for the age-long Igbo Apprenticeship system. It spells out the rights and responsibilities of both mentors and apprentices, mandates basic education for entrants, and establishes the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission to regulate the practice, keep a register of apprentices, and resolve disputes.
Reacting to the development, the founder and President of Umunna Business School, Ozonkpu Chief Dr Uche Nworah, welcomed the passage of the bill but argued that its duration component needs review.
“My thinking is that 7 years is a long time. Technology has happened and a lot of things have changed. I would have loved to see the law say about four to five years for the conclusion of the program,” he said.
Dr Nworah, who as former Managing Director of the Anambra State Broadcasting Service convened a national summit on the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme attended by then Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, said more stakeholder consultations would have enriched the law.
He also called for the introduction of an insurance policy to guarantee apprentices’ settlement. According to him, masters should pay premiums under such a policy so that if they are unable to settle their apprentices at the end of the agreed period, the insurance would take effect.
“This is what we have been canvassing for. There should be some kind of insurance whereby the masters taking on these apprentices would be contributing premium, so that at the end of the agreement period, if they are not able to take care of settlement, the insurance would suffice,” he stressed.
On the law’s stipulation that apprentices must acquire basic education before joining the scheme, Nworah disagreed, arguing that education could be integrated into their training. He urged the state to partner with local schools and polytechnics to provide certification alongside trade learning.
“The apprentices should be given the opportunity to learn the trade or business while schooling runs concurrently. This was why we set up the Umunna Business School, so we can take education to the apprentices where they are training,” he explained.
Dr Nworah maintained that while the law is a positive development, fine-tuning areas such as duration, insurance, and education structure will ensure its effectiveness in modern times.
