Japa: Experts task Nigerians on skills acquisition before traveling abroad 

Business experts have advised Nigerians planning to travel abroad in search of greener pastures to acquire relevant, marketable skills and develop sustainable sources of income before leaving the country.

The advice was given at a two-day business Summit organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) His Majesty Chapel, Lagos Province 122, in partnership with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency. (LASRRA)

The Summit, with the theme: “Becoming Mountain Movers Entrepreneur,” was designed to empower entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners and members of the public with practical knowledge on business development and creating multiple streams of income amid the country’s challenging economic environment.

The Lead Speaker, Pastor Rotimi Oluwabukola, who spoke on “Creating Multiple Streams of Income in a Challenging Economy,” urged Nigerians to leverage technology and social media to market their businesses, skills and services.

Oluwabukola advised aspiring entrepreneurs not to wait until they had huge capital before starting businesses, noting that several ventures could be established with limited resources.

She urged Nigerians to become problem-solvers and productive members of society, rather than relying solely on white-collar employment.

“Start with the small resources that you have. Don’t wait until you have millions in your account. There are jobs that you don’t need big money to start,” she said.

Oluwabukola further encouraged entrepreneurs to use social media platforms to reach customers within and outside Nigeria rather than waiting for foreign patronage.

With respect to the increasing trend of Nigerians travelling abroad, popularly known as “Japa,” Oluwabukola advised those seeking opportunities overseas to first acquire marketable skills that could enable them to earn a living and remain financially independent.

She also urged Nigerians to explore opportunities within the country, stressing that Nigeria’s large population and growing needs presented significant opportunities for businesses.

Also speaking at the Summit, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CreditCorp), Olanike Kolawole, said the session brought together young entrepreneurs, new business owners and established entrepreneurs to equip them with the knowledge needed to take their businesses to the next level.

Kolawole urged entrepreneurs to look beyond business expansion and focus on building sustainable wealth, creating employment opportunities and establishing a lasting legacy.

According to her, business growth should translate into more jobs and additional income for individuals and the wider economy.

She also highlighted the challenges faced by women who attempt to combine entrepreneurship and career development with child-rearing.

Kolawole added that the high rate of inflation and the devaluation of the naira had made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to depend on a single source of income.

“The reality is that inflation is high, and with the devaluation of the naira, what most people earn today may not be enough to meet their needs. So, we are preaching the importance of having multiple streams of income,” she said.

She encouraged Nigerians to identify their skills, talents and abilities and convert them into additional sources of income.

Kolawole also called for greater attention to opportunities within Nigeria, observing that foreigners were increasingly coming into the country to take advantage of available business opportunities.

Citing the activities of Chinese nationals across various sectors as an example, Kolawole said Nigeria’s population of more than 200 million people represented a huge market for entrepreneurs.

She stressed that significant opportunities remained within the Nigerian economy for people willing to identify problems, develop solutions and build sustainable businesses.

Speaking on the initiative, Pastor in charge of RCCG His Majesty Chapel, Tope Farorika, disclosed that the programme was driven by the church’s commitment to empowering people both spiritually and economically.

Farorika pointed out that the church believed that divine blessings should be complemented with practical knowledge, opportunities and empowerment.

“We thank God that this started last year and both members and people who came from outside to attend were blessed through their testimonies. We thank God for what He will do this year,” he said.

Speaking, the Head, organising team, Debo Omilani, indicated that the Summit was initiated from the Pastor’s vision to empower both members of the church and non-members.

Also speaking, a Business Development professional, Anuoluwapo Adeleke, emphasised the importance of registering businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).