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ANAMBRA PASSES IGBO APPRENTICE BILL INTO LAW
The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed the Igbo Apprenticeship Bill, popularly known as the Igba Boi Bill, into law, giving official recognition and regulation to the long-standing Igbo business mentorship system.
The legislation, which will take effect on September 10, 2025, is expected to boost entrepreneurship, create employment opportunities and enhance economic development across the state.
The bill, sponsored by Sir Ejike Okechukwu, provides a legal framework to guide the apprenticeship system, ensuring that apprentices receive fair treatment while establishing minimum standards for training.
It also defines the rights and responsibilities of both mentors and apprentices to promote fairness, accountability and mutual respect. Under the new law, every apprentice is required to have basic education before being enrolled, and the training period must not exceed seven years.
A major highlight of the legislation is the creation of the Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission, a regulatory body that will be responsible for registering apprentices, overseeing training activities and resolving disputes between mentors and trainees. According to Okechukwu, this provision is designed to modernize the Igba Boi system while preserving its cultural essence and economic significance.
Speaking after the bill’s passage, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, commended the sponsor and applauded the Joint Committees on Trade, Commerce and Industry, as well as Judiciary and Justice, for their role in fine-tuning the legislation.
He described the law as a landmark achievement that will protect young apprentices, support business mentors and ultimately strengthen Anambra’s economy.
The Igba Boi system, which has sustained the Igbo entrepreneurial spirit for generations, is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful models for youth empowerment and wealth creation.
With its formal recognition in law, Anambra State has positioned itself as a pioneer in institutionalizing an indigenous practice that has transformed countless lives, while also setting an example that other states in Nigeria may soon follow.
