The Ontological Foundation of Igbo Entrepreneurship: An Analytical Investigation

Abstract

In recent times, the entrepreneurial performance of the Igbo people of Nigeria has become outstanding. This is as most increasing numbers of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), as well as large business enterprises (LBEs) which underscore growth of Nigerian economy are owned and managed by the Igbo people. More still, this gross commercial performance of the Igbos even prevails amidst harsh increasing circumstances. The Igbo in fact cannot be successfully entrepreneurial on a vacuum. There must be some bases for their socio-economic performance. This paper analytically investigates peculiar sources, circumstances and skills that are the fulcrum of increasing socio-economic performance of the Igbo people. The study finds that entrepreneurial performance of the Igbos is underscored by their economic culture and value, which are highly existential in their traditions and belief system. These are however fostered by the long years of marginalization by successive Nigerian governments, as well as other prominent factors in pre and post independence Nigeria. The research concludes that with this progressive rate, Igbo people will in time be a force to reckon with in the socio-political and techno-economic sector of Nigeria and Africa at large.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Foundation; Analysis; Investigation; Performance