The movie “Áfàméfùnà” which was directed by Kayode Kasum, beautifully showcased the age-long Igbo Apprenticeship system, a successful business model believed to produce young millionaires yearly.
Áfàméfùnà depicted the intricacies of the apprenticeship system, unveiling the cultural heritage, Ambition, Loyalty, Betrayal, and Sacrifice inherent in the system.
Also, against the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, the movie underlines the crucial role played by the Igbo apprenticeship system in revitalizing the fortunes of the Igbo tribe, having lost everything during the war.
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The movie opened with a short note by Harvard Business Review acknowledging the Igbo apprenticeship system as a form of stakeholder capitalism, which read,
“The Igbos in Africa have been practicing for centuries what is today known as stakeholder capitalism. The Igbo apprenticeship system (IAS) has been recognized as the largest business incubator in the world as thousands of ventures are developed and established yearly through it. For the Igbos and some Africans, it is a working system which has brought equality and peaceful coexistence in communities”.
Diving into the movie, the storyline begins with a young boy named Afam, brought to the city by his boss (Odogwu), to undergo training in business. As part of the apprenticeship practice, Afam first receives orientation about the business, as well as rules (do’s & don’t) from his boss, and is taught the ropes of the business by experienced salesboys.
Over time, Afam grew familiar with the business operations and in turn, passed on his knowledge to salesboys brought in afterward, guiding them through the intricacies of the trade. A common practice within the apprenticeship system that involves experienced salesboys passing on the business knowledge to new recruits, thereby ensuring the continuity and preservation of the model.
Despite the strength of the apprenticeship system, the film also acknowledged challenges that plagues the system such as dishonesty and greed among apprentices whose mischievous acts often frustrate the businesses of their masters, illustrated by Paulo’s selfish acts of inflating prices of goods for personal gain, described as “Apriko.”
As with the apprenticeship system, some salesboys earn their masters’ admiration due to their loyalty, diligence and exceptional business skills. The movie illustrates this scenario by depicting Afam being granted freedom ahead of Paul, despite the latter’s longer tenure in the business.
In summary, the movie transcends beyond entertainment, offering a profound exploration of the Igbo apprenticeship system. It showcased the Igbo spirit of resilience, resourcefulness, and economic empowerment, highlighting the values of brotherhood and hard work.
Notably, the Igbo apprenticeship system is often described as the “unofficial business school” and is regarded as the largest business incubator in the world as thousands of business ventures are established each year through this system.
As Nigeria and several nations across the globe grapple with extreme poverty and social inequality, there are calls to review and potentially adapt the Igbo apprenticeship model to address these challenges.