Freemen

Made in Nigeria

Nigerian Showmax Original Freemen is a seven-part documentary that explores the Igbo Apprenticeship System. All episodes now streaming.

The Igbo Apprenticeship System has been a cornerstone of the eastern region of Nigeria for generations. The practice involves young individuals placed under the tutelage of experienced traders, artisans, or professionals to learn a trade or skill for a period of time, after which they gain “freedom”, typically including a cash settlement or seed money that will allow them to begin their own trade. In recent times, the business model has gained worldwide traction, and in 2021, Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe's work on the Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS) was published in the Harvard Business Review.

The seven-part documentary series features prominent Igbo businessmen such as Dr Anene Okeke, Dr Cosmas Maduka aka Coscharis, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, Ndubuisi Ekekwe, Okey Japan, Bartholomew Duru Nwanguma alongside his son Peter Nwanguma, and other notable entrepreneurs. These successful businessmen share their personal stories and reflections on how the Igbo Apprenticeship System shaped their careers and paved the way for their entrepreneurial success.

Freemen is co-produced by multiple-award-winning rapper Tobechukwu Ejiofor, aka ILLBLiSS (King of Boys), who also produces the soundtrack for the show.

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Showmax's Freemen highlights the origin story of Nnewi's most successful businessmen

The Showmax Original documentary Freemen highlights how Nnewi breeds successful businessmen like Dr Alex Chika Okafor and Dr Cosmas Maduka. All the episodes for Freemen are available to stream.

OriginalMade in Nigeria

"Discipline is the pinnacle lesson" - Obi Cubana from Freemen

Entrepreneur and businessman Obi Cubana discusses lessons from Igbo Apprenticeship as Showmax documentary Freemen starts streaming.

OriginalMade in Nigeria

Freemen S1

A thoughtful Nigerian documentary that explores the age-old Igbo Apprenticeship System, which gives youngsters a chance to learn a trade.

OriginalMade in Nigeria

Freemen

Nigerian Showmax Original Freemen is a seven-part documentary that explores the Igbo Apprenticeship System. All episodes now streaming.

OriginalMade in Nigeria

Showmax documentary Freemen explores the Igbo Apprenticeship System

Showmax premieres its brand-new Nigerian documentary on the Igbo Apprenticeship System.

OriginalMade in Nigeria

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Freemen

A deeper look into Freemen

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The best of West Africa

Latest Stories

Never miss a beat

Freemen

A deeper look into Freemen

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Have you watched Bae Beyond Borders?