The City of Boys: An ethnographic survey into the experiences of apprentices and urbanization of Onitsha City, Nigeria

Abstract

This research critically examines the post-civil war Igba-boi apprenticeship system, unveiling its pivotal role in shaping Onitsha into a thriving urban economic hub through robust human capital development. The apprenticeship system forged between a trader-mentor and a mentee over a specific timeframe act as a conduit for passing on trade expertise. The symbolically rich mentorship process propels the mentee into independent entrepreneurship, with a conscious obligation to perpetuate the trade cycle by mentoring others, often recruited from rural areas, thereby initiating widespread urban migration in Onitsha city. By the post-Nigeria-Biafra War era, resonating mentor-mentee collaborations propelled Onitsha into an epicenter of urban politics and human capital development, answering the call of war starvation melted as an indemnity on the Igbo people by the Nigerian government. Employing go-along ethnographic and quantitative historical methods, the study draws from primary and secondary data sources, utilizing pseudonyms for anonymity. By adopting Innovation Diffusion Theory and Agency Theory as analytical frameworks, this research offers a fresh perspective on the Igba-boi system as an ‘unseen’ infrastructure for connecting the wealth gap. It explores communication channels, adoption rates, and economic impacts of innovative practices in Onitsha's economic development. Notable economic impacts include increased business efficiency, productivity, and market reach. Additionally, the study delves into urbanization dynamics, cultural influences, feedback mechanisms, and the long-term sustainability of innovations within the Igba-boi system. By synthesizing Innovation Diffusion Theory and Agency Theory, this research significantly contributes to the discourse on urbanization and economic development, presenting the Igba-boi system as a potent catalyst for inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban growth in alignment with the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.