The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Management and Administration (IEAMA) has held its inaugural membership induction ceremony on January 28, 2026.
Themed ‘Grooming a New Generation of Structured Entrepreneurs and Professional Apprentices for Sustainable National Development’, the ceremony, held in conjunction with the Enterprise Grooming Institute Limited, took place at the Paschal Bafyau Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja.
It featured an opening speech by the Chairman, Amb. (Mrs) Harrish Yerima Ballah (FIEAMA), keynote speech by the Registrar, Dr. Jerry E. Ibeh, induction of Fellows, Doctorate Fellows, Associates, Senior and Full Members of the Institute. The event was chaired by Abdulrashid I. U. Yerima, PhD, DFIEAMA, President and Chairman of Council, NASME, and Life Patron of IEAMA.
In his Keynote Speech reflecting the theme, Registrar of the Institute, Dr. Jerry E. Ibeh said that IEAMA is primarily established to contribute to efforts to professionalize entrepreneurship and standardize apprenticeship in Nigeria and Africa, noting that entrepreneurship and apprenticeship are pillars of the economy.
Here is the full text of the Keynote Speech:
Distinguished Guests, Members of the Board of Trustees, Esteemed Fellows, Captains of Industry, Partners, Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honored and proud to welcome you to this Official Membership Induction Ceremony of the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Management and Administration (IEAMA).
Today’s ceremony will shape the future of entrepreneurship and apprenticeship in Nigeria and Africa.
WHY THIS INDUCTION MATTERS:
Nigeria is a nation of enterprise. Our people are naturally industrious, innovative, and resilient. Yet, despite this strength, much of our entrepreneurship remains informal, unstructured, undocumented, and vulnerable.
Millions are in business, yet few are professionally trained. Many employers utilize apprentices, yet very few manage apprenticeships with structure, ethics, and long-term sustainability.
IEAMA was born to correct this imbalance.
This induction, therefore, represents a shift from hustle to structure, from survival to sustainability, and from informal practice to professional identity.
UNDERSTANDING IEAMA – OUR VISION AND MANDATE
IEAMA is not an association. IEAMA is a professional institute.
Our vision is to become a globally recognized center of excellence for entrepreneurship and apprenticeship management, equipping individuals with the competence to foster innovation, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth.
OUR MANDATE IS CLEAR:
To professionalize entrepreneurship practice; To standardize apprenticeship management; To groom disciplined enterprise leaders; To certify competence, not just participation.
IEAMA exists to ensure that business ownership and apprenticeship management are treated as professions governed by standards, ethics, and continuous learning.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP BEYOND HUSTLE
For too long, entrepreneurship in Nigeria has been equated with hard work and perseverance. Hustle is effort. Hustle is energy. But hustle without structure leads to: Business collapse, Family disputes, Failed succession, Exploited apprentices and Financial mismanagement.
IEAMA teaches that true entrepreneurship is a discipline. A structured entrepreneur understands: Business registration and compliance; Financial, management and record keeping; Human capital development; Risk management and Ethical leadership. From today, following your induction, you are no longer just business owners. You are enterprise professionals.
THE MODERN ENTREPRENEUR & APPRENTICESHIP MANAGER
An IEAMA member wears two critical hats: (1). The Entrepreneur as an Economic Builder, Creator of value, Employer of labor, Contributor to national GDP and Driver of innovation.
(2). The Entrepreneur as an Apprenticeship Manager, Mentor of young talents, Custodian of skills transfer and Builder of future enterprises Apprenticeship is not exploitation. Apprenticeship is intentional training.
IEAMA promotes: Clear apprenticeship agreements, Defined training periods, Ethical mentoring and Transparent settlement processes. By managing apprenticeships professionally, we secure generational wealth transfer and reduce youth unemployment.
FROM INFORMAL PRACTICE TO FORMAL ENTERPRISE
Many great Nigerian businesses fail to outlive their founders. Why? No documentation. No governance structures. No trained successors. No professional standards.
IEAMA prepares members to transition from: Sole trader to structured enterprise; Informal mentorship to certified apprenticeship; Family dependency on institutional continuity. Your business must be able to survive without your daily presence.
IEAMA TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
Membership in IEAMA is a journey, not a destination. All members are required to undergo continuous professional development through: Structured trainings. Workshops and seminars as well as Certification programmes.
Through our training partners, the Enterprise Grooming Institute (EGI), members will be groomed in: Enterprise management, Financial intelligence, Apprenticeship administration and Leadership and ethics. Progression through membership categories is based on competence, commitment, and contribution.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS
As IEAMA members, you are bound by: Integrity, Accountability, Professional conduct and Respect for apprenticeship ethics. Your certificates, titles, and digital badges represent trust. Any misuse of the IEAMA identity undermines the institute and may result in disciplinary measures. Professionalism is not optional. It is compulsory.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS NATIONAL SERVICE
Every successful enterprise: Reduces poverty, Creates jobs, Builds communities and Strengthens national stability. IEAMA members are not only business people; they are nation builders. Through programmes like Finance Meets Entrepreneur, IEAMA connects members to financial institutions, policy influencers, and growth opportunities. Your success contributes directly to Nigeria’s development.
CHARGE TO THE INDUCTEES
Dear inductees, from today you are charged to represent IEAMA with honor, lead enterprises with discipline, train apprentices with ethics and commit to lifelong learning. Let your businesses become training grounds, your apprentices become future employers, and your enterprises become legacies.
CONCLUSION
Today, history has been made. You are the members of IEAMA. Generations will look back at this induction and say, ‘They laid the standard.’
On behalf of the Board, Management, and the entire IEAMA community, I would like to welcome you.
Congratulations, and welcome to professional entrepreneurship.
Thank you.
Dr. Jerry E. Ibeh
Registrar, IEAMA
