Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-19-2025
Source Publication
Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism, 2025; 0:1–20 https://doi.org/10.1111/sena.70012
Keywords
apprenticeship, Biafra, entrepreneurship, Igba-Boi | Igbo, Igbo identity, Igbo nationalism, Nigerian Civil War, trade
Abstract
After the Nigerian Civil War, the Biafrans started from scratch through trades, mostly adopting the igba-boi apprenticeship system in Nigeria. This paper examines the impact of the igba-boi entrepreneurship system in post-Biafra for the survival of the Igbo identity. Historical–analytical and documentary methods were adopted in this investigation, through primary and secondary sources. This study found different phases of the igba-boi- apprenticeship model, which was adopted in entrepreneurship by the Igbos to survive after the war. This study found that economic towns in Eastern Nigeria, like Aba, Owerri, Enugu, Nnewi, Onitsha and Awka, have enhanced economic development. Also, it found that umu-boi and ndi-oga have synergies after freedom, as they could operate in different prime locations and exchange goods amicably. The implications for both economic resilience and community development were highlighted as experiential learning. These lessons underscore the effectiveness of communal support, mentorship and structured transitions to financial independence. It contributes to the discussions about recovery after the war, entrepreneurship in Africa, Biafran nationalism and the formation of ethnic identities.
Repository Citation
Amaechi, Chiemela Victor; Onumonu, Ugo Pascal; Beddu, Salmia Binti; and Mgbeoji, Ikechi, "Surviving the Post–Biafran War by Navigating the Igbo People's Igba-Boi Apprenticeship Model of Entrepreneurship" (2025). Articles & Book Chapters. 3383.
https://digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/scholarly_works/3383
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
"This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited."
© 2025 The Author(s). Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism published by Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.