By Jabiru Hassan
The Akurueulo Awards will debut in 2026 as a new initiative aimed at recognising and promoting Igbo mentorship-based entrepreneurship, particularly the widely practised Igba-boi apprenticeship system. The announcement was made in Abuja by the Chief Convener of the awards, Chief Allwell Okata, who said the platform seeks to formally acknowledge a system that has driven skills development and enterprise growth for decades.
According to Chief Okata, the Akurueulo Awards are designed to honour individuals, groups, and institutions operating within the Igbo trade apprenticeship framework, which has contributed significantly to commerce in Nigeria and among Igbo communities in the diaspora. He noted that the awards would highlight the economic value of the system and its relevance to contemporary business development.The inaugural edition of the Akurueulo Awards is scheduled to hold in Abia State. Organisers said the choice of location reflects the state’s historical and commercial ties to Igbo entrepreneurship and apprenticeship culture.
The awards will recognise outstanding mentors, former apprentices who have built successful enterprises, market institutions, diaspora entrepreneurs, and organisations that support enterprise development within the Igbo commercial ecosystem. The organisers explained that these categories are intended to capture the full cycle of mentorship, settlement, and business expansion associated with the Igba-boi system. The Igba-boi model is built on structured mentorship, apprenticeship training, capital support, and eventual settlement of apprentices. Over the years, it has played a key role in the emergence of major commercial hubs across Nigeria, particularly in trading, manufacturing, and distribution sectors.
Despite its impact, organisers observed that the system has largely operated without formal institutional recognition or strong policy support. Chief Okata said the Akurueulo Awards aim to draw national attention to the apprenticeship model and encourage policymakers, development partners, and private sector actors to engage more deliberately with its structure and outcomes. Beyond the award presentations, the event will feature documentary screenings and panel discussions examining the history, structure, and modern relevance of the Igba-boi system. These sessions will also explore how the model can be adapted to address current economic realities, including youth unemployment, access to finance, and evolving market dynamics.
The inaugural ceremony is expected to attract a wide range of stakeholders, including public office holders, traditional rulers, business leaders, policymakers, academics, and members of the Igbo diaspora. Organisers said the gathering will provide an opportunity for dialogue on indigenous enterprise models and their role in sustainable economic development.The announcement comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with rising youth unemployment and limited access to formal enterprise opportunities. The organisers described the Igba-boi apprenticeship system as one of the country’s most enduring indigenous approaches to skills acquisition, wealth creation, and social mobility. Preparations for the Akurueulo Awards are currently ongoing, with additional details on categories, nomination processes, and event schedules expected to be released ahead of the formal launch in 2026, according to Chief Okata.
