Igbo’s Apprenticeship Style in Entrepreneurial Activity and Economic Development of the South East Region: A Study of International Market, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study examined the Igbo’s apprenticeship style in entrepreneurial activity and economic development of the South East Region: A Study of Margret Uhahi International Market, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey design, A Sample of 400 were drawn from the population of the market through purposive sampling technique. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. The data generated in the study was analyzed using simple percentage to answer the responses on each item while simple regression through SPSS was used to test the two hypotheses formulated in the study. The findings revealed that inadequate capital, fire incidence and lack of government support remained the major challenges facing the Igbo’s entrepreneurial activity which has negatively affected the economic development of South East Region. Therefore, arising from the findings, the paper reached the conclusion that the Igbo’s apprenticeship styles in entrepreneurial activity has contributed immensely to the economic development of the south east region in the area of self-reliance, improve on the living standard of living of the people, reduction of unemployment and poverty among the people of the South East Region and to the Nigeria economy. In view of the above, the paper recommended that the South East governors should partnerships with the Igbo entrepreneurs to give them the necessary attention and support in the South East. Also, that the government should establish a special financial institution were the victim fire or any other disasters could get immediate small scale loan to support the business.