69. DIY - Jack’s Japa Empowerment - Diaspora Handbook - Nijaa Diaspora Empowerment - Nijaa Immigrant Handbook - Jack Lookman Limited

69. DIY

DIY is not a choice, but rather a need abroad.  You are your own plumber, cook, cleaner, driver, builder, and occasionally therapist.  The cost of hiring help will humble you, and you will soon discover that survival requires you to learn to do things on your own.  However, don't confuse DIY with suffering.  When done correctly, it develops into a skill set, or superpower.  And in a world where outsourcing is considered a luxury, independence becomes your strength.

Everything is your responsibility, from furniture repair to tax filing, from child rearing to digital tool management.  That's fine, but it also means you have to keep learning new things.  YouTube becomes your new university.  Online forums become your community. There's no shame in Googling “how to fix a leaking tap.” What matters is your willingness to try, fail, and learn again. That mindset alone separates survivors from settlers.

But here's the trick: doing it yourself doesn't mean doing it alone.  Utilise communities.  Join a local forum.  Ask questions.  Find Nigerians who have accomplished what you are attempting to do.  You do not have to reinvent the wheel every time.  Collaboration saves energy and time.  The lone ranger strategy may succeed in the short term, but long-term success demands connection.

Also, don't forget to do your own growing.  Don't wait for someone to provide you opportunity.  Create your resume.  Learn a new skill.  Launch that concept.  Nobody is coming to rescue you; which isn't a bad thing.  It simply means that your future is in your hands.  The sooner you accept that, the faster you will advance.