Igbo cultural heritage and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria: a qualitative examination of enabling habits

Abstract

This qualitative study delves into the intricate relationship between Igbo habits and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, revealing the dynamic interplay between Western and indigenous practices. In-depth interviews with 60 entrepreneurs, comprising 45 mentors and 15 market leaders from three major Lagos markets-Ladipo, Idumota and Alaba International, yielded 10 essential habits rooted in Igbo tradition. The habits of hustle (industry), isi na-achi (resourcefulness), and ikwu ukwu (family support) emerged as pivotal factors in entrepreneurial development. The findings challenge the notion that Western traits alone foster entrepreneurship and national development, instead it highlights the significance of cultural habits prevalent in the Global South. Also, the study debunks the myth of individualistic entrepreneurship, which is prevalent in the Global North, and underscores the vital role of community, family, and cultural context in shaping entrepreneurial mindsets, resilience, and innovation in the Global South. By centering on Igbo cultural traditions, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers seeking to promote entrepreneurial growth in Nigeria and celebrate African cultural heritage.

Cite this work

No public copy is stored for this record, so only the metadata is cited.

Stored only when both papers are in the corpus — 5 citations exist upstream.

Papers that cite the same references — the relational fallback while embeddings are still backfilling.