By Chinedum Treasure
A Professor of Management at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Prof. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, has called for the adoption of an improved Igbo Apprenticeship System, rebranded as “Apprenticepreneurship” (Nkwado Ogaranya), as a sustainable model for entrepreneurship and small business development in Nigeria.
Speaking while delivering the university’s 127th Inaugural Lecture titled, “Navigating the Labyrinth of SME Development in Nigeria: Unveiling an Improved Model of the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme as a Mitigant,” Onyeizugbe described the Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme (Igba Boi) as one of the world’s largest informal business incubators that has produced thousands of successful entrepreneurs.
He urged governments at all levels to provide legal backing, infrastructure and institutional support for the scheme, while calling on financial institutions to offer soft loans to assist with apprentice settlement and reduce the financial burden on business owners.
According to him, the improved model would strengthen SMEs, promote innovation, create jobs and drive long-term economic growth, while helping to eliminate the negative perception often associated with the traditional apprenticeship system.
Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, commended the lecture and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to youth mentorship, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
Earlier, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Anyaehie, described the lecture topic as timely, noting that the Igbo Apprenticeship System has continued to gain global recognition for its contribution to enterprise development.
Tags: Igbo Apprenticeship, UNIZIK, SMEs, Entrepreneurship, Anambra State
