197. SUCCESSION - Jack’s Japa Empowerment - Diaspora Handbook - Nijaa Diaspora Empowerment - Nijaa Immigrant Handbook - Jack Lookman

197. SUCCESSION

When we hear the word succession, our thoughts frequently turn to politics and throne. However, succession is also about leaving a legacy. Migration has provided many of us with opportunities that our parents did not have, but if we do not act responsibly, the next generation will have to start from zero. Building a life overseas requires considering how your children, family, and even community can benefit when you go.

Succession planning begins with small details. Do your children understand Nigerian values, culture, and identity? Many of us have children who can speak flawless English but struggle to say two phrases in Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa. Do they know why education is not just about grades but about opening doors for generations? Succession is not about how many houses you buy in Lagos or land you keep in the village. It is about how much wisdom, structure, and foresight you leave behind.

Financially, succession involves setting plans. Life insurance, wills, pensions, and simply writing down your wishes are important. Too many Nigerian families in the UK have been left in disarray when a breadwinner dies unexpectedly, and no plans are in place. Back home, individuals rely on "extended family." If you do not plan, the system will make a decision for you, which may not be in your family's best interest. This is why we must shift our focus from survival to long-term planning.

Succession also entails mentoring others. As a Nigerian immigrant who has spent decades abroad, what you know, can help younger ones who are just arriving. You don't need to wait until you're retired to start teaching others.

At the end of the day, succession is about more than inheritance. It is about responsibility. Migration should not just benefit you alone; it should prepare a smoother, better, and more empowered path for those who come after.