I felicitate the President, Executive Committee and the entire membership of Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja on the occasion of its 2023 Endowment Launch christened “Igba Boyi: Igbo Apprenticeship System” scheduled to hold on 14 September 2023 at the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja.

The Igbo apprenticeship system (Igba Boyi) was described by Robert Neuwirth in his TED talk as “the largest business incubator platform in the world”. This apprenticeship system, which emphasizes practical learning, enables the mentees to learn a business or vocation from experienced mentors over a period. These mentees are then “settled” and given seed capital to start their own businesses. There is no doubt that this apprenticeship system has been very successful and is largely responsible for the vast number of successful businesses founded by Igbo businessmen all over the world.

I must therefore commend the foresight of the Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja in seeking to adopt and apply this apprenticeship model in the promotion of mentorship, growth and development in the legal profession. I wish the Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja success in this endeavour and pledge my unremitting support for it.

Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN
(Former Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch)