Appraising the Southeastern Nigeria system of raising the next generation of Business Moguls in Africa: “Igba-boi” and the future of the highly referenced indigenous business incubation system.
Have you ever encountered the phrases “boy-boy” or “umu boi” in Nigeria?
While these terms might not be universally known, they hold profound significance within the socio-economic framework of the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria. This article is an attempt to explore the complexities of the “Igba-boi” system — a distinctive employment strategy that emerged decades ago in the wake of the dissolution of the Biafran secessionist state during the Nigerian civil war from 1967 to 1970. I chose to write this not because I share the same heritage, but because this is a socio-economic phenomenon I witnessed way up close. I write from an objective standpoint, giving both commendation and censure to this system while also exploring the historical context, impact, and prioritizing the future relevance of the “Igba-boi” system in our ever-evolving technological landscape.
I have lived, breathed and dined with the products of this system, I literally grew up with them and I witnessed how wonderful it can be. But as years go by and the world adapts to technological innovation, I believe that this system needs to change along with the world.
THE GENESIS:
The origin of the Imu Ahia system is traced to the end of the brutal Nigerian civil war from 1967–1970, which left millions dead and families scattered across the country, most especially in the South eastern part of Nigeria. Fathers abandoned their families, swept up in the fervor of nationalism, to defend their identity and culture often never to return. Meanwhile the Nigerian government crippled the Biafran economy, rendering it stagnant and lifeless. Although I didn’t experience these events firsthand, the harrowing stories of families torn apart and livelihoods destroyed are seared in my mind.
In the wake of this devastation, Families faced little alternatives to sustain the polygamous matrimony they had subscribed to. To make ends meet, the children, at least those who were already in schools, were withdrawn from schools to assist in the family trade which was predominantly farming.
As the standard of living declined, families explored the option of sending their children to learn trades from their established relatives or kinsmen in other parts of the country for a long period of time with little or no information of the welfare of their children. In the next few generations, this gamble, born out of necessity, proved wildly successful and transformed Southeastern Nigeria into a region renowned for their business acumen and economic prosperity.
IMPACT AND SUCCESS STORIES
The “Igba-boi” system, often referred to as the “Imu Ahia” system or the “Imu-boi” system, is an informal arrangement where experienced business owners take in young apprentices, typically boys, to learn a trade while simultaneously serving as domestic aides. The Imu Ahia system requires dedication, with apprentices devoting themselves to learn a trade for a period of time usually within 6–8 years, maybe more. Upon completing their service, the Master is obliged to provide start-up funding, and prayers to the apprentice to excel in that line of business.
This system has nurtured remarkable businesses in Nigeria, including industry giants like Godisgood Motors, Coscharis, and Innoson Motors. These businesses benefited from the system in that they obtained the skills and wisdom necessary to grow. Essentially, the “Igba-boi” system creates thriving business ecosystems rooted in cultural values. It acts as a precursor to modern startup incubators, fostering future business leaders by imparting essential skills.
APPRAISING THE EFFICACY OF THE IMU-AHIA
The Imu Ahia system has had a significant impact on south-eastern Nigeria and the country as a whole. Igbos have left financial success footprints throughout Nigeria’s West and Northern regions. According to Mutual Interest, 90% of Igbo Heritage business men work in Lagos’ Alaba Market, the largest electronics market in Nigeria. In Northern states such as Taraba and Kano, there is an increasing number of Igbos running profitable enterprises.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Imu Ahia method is how it transformed uneducated or semi-literate men into successful businessmen. I have met a handful of business men that only completed their basic education, some never got the privilege of attending the four walls of a school, they became self-taught. One would write them off as being incapacitated, but they managed to defy the odds and take their destinies in their hands. The Imu Ahia system focuses on practical hands-on learning experiences in areas such as product development, customer service, service delivery, and negotiation skills — all of which are relevant in today’s society. In a TED talk, American author Robert Neuwirt referred to it as the “largest business incubator in the world.”
This approach has provided jobs for young people and future corporate leaders in society who have been fortified with life skills learnt from their masters. The Imu Ahia system is based on a South Eastern Nigerian anti-idleness notion. It is believed that if school does not work out, learning a skill is the best choice available rather than languishing in idleness and partaking in societal vices.
Imu-ahia is more than just a means of producing great businesses; it is also a means of producing responsible and capable members of society. A breed of value oriented individuals that have a strong desire to acquire wealth not because they have to, but because they want to provide for their loved ones.
CHALLENGES AND CRITICISMS.
The Imu Ahia system is not without its flaws. While it has done a good job in creating the future business leaders, not every story follows the same pattern. Cases of domestic abuse, rape, child trafficking and unfulfilled agreement on the part of the mentors have marred its reputation. Mentors have changed the system into a modern-day slave trade, denying them proper food and clothing while they continue to serve. Mentors have exploited the system by excluding them from certain benefits that their own children enjoy. The young guys recruited have also stolen or vandalized the capital of their mentors’ businesses. To establish themselves, the boys usually rob their mentors and flee with the loot. In certain cases, a lack of proper parental guidance has resulted in apprentices becoming societal nuisances, perpetuating harm rather than good.
TECHNOLOGICAL DISRUPTION AND CHANGING TIMES:
The resilience of the indigenous “Igba-boi” system faces new challenges in an era dominated by technological advancements. With the rise of social media, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing, the way we secure jobs and learn trades has transformed dramatically. Nigeria might be a third world nation, slowly adapting to the current times but the disruption of the technological age is changing the way be do business in Africa. It is a matter of time before we become engulfed in the trend of innovative practices. This prompts a crucial question
What is the current situation of the Imu Ahia system amid technological innovation? and what does the future hold for this incubation system?
The status of the Igba-boi system is dwindling rapidly amongst South Easterners in Nigeria, and it can be attributed to several factors. Parents are no longer releasing their children to learn a trade because they recognize the value of education (as they should). However, the refusal of young people to participate in this system is a more significant reason for its decline, due to the get-rich-quick mentality instilled in their heads. The Imu Ahia method exemplifies patience and discipline, but recent technological innovation, such as the introduction of social media, has prompted a paradigm change among youths. This has resulted in comparisons among themselves, which creates inadequacy and a lack of contentment. The urge to make it big quickly while refusing to be transformed by the process.
Modern youth are enticed by the allure of rapid wealth and success showcased through social media. They see snapshots of opulent lives and luxury, and this contrasts sharply with the patient, disciplined path advocated by the “Igba-boi” system. This system, once emblematic of perseverance, is now pitted against the quick-fix mentality fostered by online platforms.
ADAPTING TO THE MODERN WORLD:
As our world undergoes rapid change, the longevity of extensive trade apprenticeships is being questioned. Increasingly, people opt for skills that can be mastered in as little as six months, as opposed to spending years learning a trade. The “Igba-boi” system’s foundational principles are noble, fostering discipline and patience. But in succinct review, it needs a modern revamp to align with contemporary dynamics. Its contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape cannot be overstated. To remain the incubator of Nigeria’s next generation of business moguls, the system must evolve to encompass relevant 21st-century learning domains.
CONCLUSION:
Finally, the “Igba-boi” system demonstrates the inventiveness and perseverance of the Igbo ethnic group. While its historical importance cannot be ignored, its long-term viability is dependent on its capacity to adapt to a swiftly changing environment. The evolution of the “Igba-boi” system, together with its potential integration with current skill sets, has the potential to reshape how Nigeria’s next generation of entrepreneurs emerges. It’s a delicate balancing act between preserving history and welcoming innovation, and only time will tell what happens.