Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for a shift in Nigeria’s national focus toward celebrating and supporting practical, on-the-ground knowledge systems such as apprenticeships and successful non-formally educated entrepreneurs.
Obi made the call in Lagos during the launch of a book titled “Just Go Further: Become the Total Entrepreneur,” authored by Mrs. Ebele Obi, a renowned entrepreneur, mentor, and business leader.
He described the publication as a “call to action” for innovators, dreamers, and builders who refuse to stop at the starting line, stressing that the lack of institutional support for apprenticeship systems was hindering Nigeria’s economic growth.
“Our economy continues to struggle because we do not give enough recognition or support to practical knowledge and apprenticeship — models that have successfully built sustainable businesses for decades,” Obi said.
He urged the government to formulate national policies that recognise, encourage, and leverage the wisdom of successful entrepreneurs without formal education, using them as mentors to drive inclusive economic expansion.
Author’s Perspective
In her remarks, Mrs. Ebele Obi said the book was not just another business manual but an urgent call to action for entrepreneurs who are ready to move beyond the start-up phase and build enduring enterprises.
“This book encourages people not just to start, but to go further — to become total entrepreneurs who can thrive anywhere and build lasting businesses,” she said.
Ebele emphasised that entrepreneurship required mindset, courage, and consistency, noting that apprenticeship provides aspiring business owners with a solid foundation through guided experience and mentorship.
She urged the education sector to incorporate financial literacy and entrepreneurship into school curricula and to revive apprenticeship culture, which she said had helped countries like the United Kingdom and Germany to thrive.
“Apprenticeship is a win-win system. It builds economies, empowers people, and ensures the transfer of knowledge from one generation to another,” she added.
Book Review and Reactions
The book reviewer, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, a former United Nations senior diplomat, described “Just Go Further” as a motivational and practical guide written by an entrepreneur for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“This book is not the first on entrepreneurship, neither will it be the last, but what makes it unique is that it captures the real-world experience of someone who grew up in Onitsha — a hub of commerce and apprenticeship,” Obaze said.
He explained that the book was structured around three key strands — the “why,” “how to,” and “gateways” of entrepreneurship — and offered lessons on sustaining business growth and succession planning across generations.
“It reminds young people to think of themselves not just as potential employees but as future employers. This is the age of startups driven by innovation and disruptive technology,” Obaze added.
The Chief Launcher, Emmanuel Okonkwo, commended the author for her accomplishment, urging women to continue breaking barriers and encouraging men to rise to the challenges of leadership and innovation.
