| Title: | Building Sustainable Peace through Economic Inclusion: The Igbo Apprenticeship System as a Model for Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution |
| Author: | Mr. Innocent Nonso Ezeibekwe |
| Advisor: | Dr. Emmanuel Nweke Okafor |
| Degree: | ศิลปศาสตรมหาบัณฑิต สาขาวิชาสันติภาพศึกษาและการฑูต (หลักสูตรนานาชาติ) Master of Arts Program in Peace Studies and Diplomacy |
| Major: | ศศ.ม. (สันติภาพศึกษาและการฑูต) – MAPD. (Peace Studies and Diplomacy |
| Faculty: | บัณฑิตวิทยาลัย (Graduate School) |
| Academic year: | 2569 (2026) |
| Published: | นำเสนอในที่ประชุมวิชาการ (Conference) The 19th National and International Academic Conference 2026 pp. 1691-1714 Conference Publication Year: 2569 (2026) View |
Abstract
Despite growing numbers of unemployed young people and socio-economic exclusion, the apprenticeship system remains an indigenous model that allows people to gain skills, and develop entrepreneurship and peace building competencies. This study aimed to explore the Igbo apprenticeship system as a form of economic inclusion in promoting conflict resolution, and diplomacy. Quantitative research method was used where questionnaires were the primary data collection method. A sample of 150 respondents was used in the study. Results indicate that apprenticeship still survives in today’s urban economy and skill transfers through mentorship/training, settlement, and market-based skill transfers. 41.3% of the respondents learned hands-on trade skills and 29.3% learned negotiating skills/customer service, illuminating how the practice allows for improving economic inclusion. Respondents also experienced positive economic empowerment effects, where 64.7% owned businesses at the market and 18.6% owned businesses outside of the market. These results speak to the livelihood system’s role in promoting upward mobility, entrepreneurialism, and lessening vulnerability and conflict among youth. The study also indicates that the Igbo apprenticeship system fosters peacebuilding. Overall, 80.7% of respondents said the apprenticeship system provided a very high or high contribution to peace/stability in the market. Results also suggest informal diplomacy, mediation, and conflict resolution occur because of the co-operations created through the system. Thus, the Igbo apprenticeship system is found to be an indigenous economy that combines economic empowerment with informal governance and conflict resolution. Its ability to create enterprises, absorb youth, and regulate internal peace suggests that it has the potential to be a viable grassroots model for sustainable peace-building in Nigeria and other similar settings.
Keywords: peace building, economic inclusion, Nigeria, apprenticeship, Igbo
