The Akurueulo Awards is set to debut in 2026 as a new platform to recognise Igbo mentorship-based entrepreneurship, popularly known as the Igba-boi apprenticeship system.
The initiative was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja by the Chief Convener of the awards, Chief Allwell Okata, who said the programme is designed to acknowledge individuals and institutions operating within the Igbo trade apprenticeship framework, which has played a significant role in skills development and enterprise growth across Nigeria and the diaspora.
According to the organisers, the inaugural edition of the awards will be held in Abia State.
It will focus on recognising outstanding mentors, former apprentices who have established successful businesses, market institutions, diaspora entrepreneurs, and organisations supporting enterprise development within the Igbo commercial system.
The Igba-boi model, which is built around mentorship, apprenticeship, capital support, and settlement, has existed for decades and has contributed to the growth of several commercial centres across the country.
However, organisers noted that the system has largely operated without formal institutional recognition or policy backing.
Chief Okata said the awards are intended to draw attention to the economic relevance of the apprenticeship model and encourage broader engagement with its structure and outcomes.
The organisers also disclosed that the event will include documentary presentations and discussions focused on the history, structure, and contemporary relevance of the Igba-boi system, alongside conversations on how the model can be adapted to current economic conditions.
The inaugural ceremony is expected to attract public officials, traditional rulers, business leaders, policymakers, and members of the Igbo diaspora.
The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns over youth unemployment and limited access to enterprise opportunities in Nigeria, with the organisers describing the apprenticeship system as one of the country’s long-standing indigenous approaches to skills acquisition and business development.
Preparations for the awards are ongoing, with further details expected to be released ahead of their formal launch in 2026.
