Anambra State has blazed the trail by becoming the first state in Nigeria to formally recognize and regulate the traditional Igbo Apprenticeship System, popularly known as Igba Boi.
On Tuesday, the State House of Assembly passed the Igbo Apprenticeship Bill into law, giving the age-long system a legal framework that will take effect from September 10, 2025.
The law is designed to strengthen entrepreneurship, create massive employment opportunities, and fast-track economic development in the state.
The sponsor of the bill, Sir Ejike Okechukwu, described the move as a landmark step in protecting the dignity of apprentices and ensuring that their years of service under mentors will no longer be abused or wasted.
He stressed that the law provides clear guidelines to guarantee fairness and transparency in the system.
One of the major highlights of the law is the establishment of the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission.
The commission will be saddled with keeping a register of apprentices, monitoring compliance, and handling disputes that may arise between mentors (Ogas) and apprentices.
Under the provisions of the new law, no apprenticeship is expected to exceed seven years, while only individuals with basic education will qualify to be registered as apprentices.
This, lawmakers said, was necessary to ensure discipline, structure, and accountability in the system.
The legislation further spells out the rights and obligations of both parties.
While mentors are now legally bound to settle apprentices after their training, apprentices in turn are obligated to display loyalty, commitment, and discipline during the period of service.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, hailed the passage of the bill as a victory for the Igbo entrepreneurial spirit.
He commended Sir Ejike Okechukwu, the lead sponsor, as well as the Joint House Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry, and the Committee on Judiciary and Justice, for their painstaking work in driving the bill to fruition.
“This is a groundbreaking law. For the first time, government is formally recognizing and protecting the Igba Boi system that has made Ndigbo global giants in commerce and industry,” Udeze said.
Supporters of the bill argue that by modernizing the system with state regulation, Anambra has positioned itself to institutionalize one of the most successful wealth-creation models in Africa.They believe the law will inspire other South-East states to follow suit.
With this development, Anambra has not only secured a legal shield for thousands of apprentices but also redefined the state’s role as the commercial hub of Igboland, giving the Igba Boi tradition a new life in a modern economy.
