The concept of ‘Japa’ is the colloquial way of referring to ‘relocating out of Nigeria’. It originated from the yoruba language where it loosely means to run for dear life.

 

Whether you are relocating to America, Canada (which is currently a destination of choice), The UK, South Africa or the Middle East (for reasons best known to you), you are said to be japa-ing. 

 

But a lot of people are so hung up on the japa-ing that they do not think of the sustainability of their lives when they land there. There is this notion that it will be a land flowing with milk and honey.

 

But the truth is there are things that make the supposed milk and honey flow.

 

Because without bees there is no honey and without husbandry there is definitely no milk.

 

There are things you can do now, structures you can put in place now to guarantee you milk and honey when you get there.

 

This preoccupation is common, not only among the semi educated, but also the very exposed who already have colleagues in those places and should take a cue from them. 

 

Since the legal japa can take anything between 6 months to 2 years, here are 4 things to consider as you plan your japa so that your glory days will actually be upon you once you arrive in your Canaan. 

 

Is there a way to restructure your business now so that you can serve your customers even when you travel. This is particularly with service-based businesses but can also be made possible with goods-based businesses.

 

Do you run a printing business? Are you a lawyer, accountant, business coach, or e-commerce person? Take some time to do some research and sit down to design processes you want to begin to introduce to your business so that you can stay in business while you are away.

 

There is nothing as sweet as earning something close to your regular income from your regular job from anywhere in the world.

 

What are the handy things your friends and colleagues who have gone had to go learn to do when they got there? To get a drivers license over there, you might need proof of previous driving experience. Do you have a driver’s license in your home country to show you’ve been driving for a while?

 

Are there things needed over there that you can begin to export to them now so you understand the terrain and make it your side hustle when you get there?

 

Do the people there miss a particular local soup which you either know how to cook or can learn how to cook so it becomes your side hustle?

 

Dont just focus on leaving. Begin to think about life there.

 

Have you taken time to go look for videos and content of those who have gone there teaching you what mistakes they made and how to avoid them. Or telling you how to survive your first 6 months without any stress.

 

Is your current business on the Internet? Does it have a presence on social media? Are you building a brand online? This is one of the easiest ways to stay in business even when you leave town. 

 

You need to build an audience and understand how your chosen platforms work. Whether it’s LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, twitter, Pinterest  or any other platform. They all have their nuances and the ones best suited for people in business who relocate. 

 

You must know that your business on the Internet takes time to build. Hence, the earlier you start, the earlier it can get monetised, or the earlier you can begin to reap the different kinds of benefits it offers.

 

I’m sure you are beginning to see that your japa to-do list is getting longer. Yeah, it’s all for your happiness and peace of mind in the long run. 

 

There are people who relocate and don’t have to look for jobs because they’ve already established themselves in their online business so much that they keep selling anywhere they go.

 

Won’t you like to be like that too?

 

If you are an employee, is it possible for your organization to convert your employment to part-time or virtual? This enables you to still have a steady income that you can reorganize your time to deliver on.

 

Or can you start looking for virtual or part-time jobs in your field that you can take on. Is there a skill you need to acquire to enter this new space  

 

Have you gone to job sites like Fiverr or Upwork or Freelancer to find out what opportunities abound for you there?

 

Or have you spoken to businesses in your physical area if they don’t mind a virtual staff.

 

In actual fact, your japa dream should be a means to an end. Whatever that end is will determine the steps you will take to make it as easy as possible.

 

I hope you found this useful.