A Nigerian businessman is facing widespread condemnation after allegedly offering his apprentice a mere ₦1 million as settlement following seven years of service while simultaneously accusing him of stealing ₦18 million.
The incident, which has sparked intense debate online, was shared in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter). According to eyewitness accounts, the apprentice had faithfully served under the traditional Igbo Nwa Boi apprenticeship system, which typically ends with the benefactor empowering the apprentice to start his own business.
However, the expected empowerment turned into a public drama when the boss reportedly attempted to settle the apprentice with only ₦1 million. The act was met with outrage from locals, with one witness captured in a viral video exclaiming, “This man is a liar, very wicked somebody.”
In a bid to justify his actions, the businessman accused the apprentice of stealing ₦18 million over the course of the apprenticeship. However, many social media users questioned the timing and credibility of the allegation, suggesting it might be a cover-up to deny the apprentice his due.
The incident has since gone viral, triggering a wave of reactions across social media platforms. Many users praised the crowd for standing up to the businessman, while others highlighted the need for legal agreements in apprenticeship arrangements to prevent future exploitation.
Here are some notable reactions:
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@ArizonaNwa11083: “I experienced this firsthand. Our agreement was that he would open the same business for me, but after 10 years he gave me ₦3.4 million. Thank God I didn’t sleep on it, though it wasn’t easy.”
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@Pekuliapers: “Thank you all for speaking up. An injustice to one is an injustice to all. The next ‘Oga’ will think twice before pulling this nonsense.”
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@agentpukka: “It is good they all stood together to reject this. Others will learn.”
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@WisdomUgo147: “It’s good to be good. Imagine this crowd fighting for the boy—it means he’s genuinely a good person.”
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@nk_dok888: “Can’t they have a written agreement on how much the apprentice should be paid after the years of service?”
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@micvic95: “Igbo people keep helping themselves with capital projects, meanwhile my Yoruba people are busy empowering each other with bigotry, sentiments, and religious menace.”
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@johnswag004: “Igbo men are wicked. That’s why most don’t settle their boys when they make it. I hate my people for this lifestyle.”
The incident has reignited discussions around the Igbo apprenticeship system—widely praised for fostering entrepreneurship, but often criticized for its lack of formal structure and legal protection for apprentices.
As calls grow louder for reform, legal experts and rights advocates are urging stakeholders to consider formal contracts to prevent such disputes in the future.
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