Table of Contents
Key Points
- Femi Otedola’s memoir ‘Making It Big’ is now available for pre-order in hardcover and paperback, starting at $19.99.
- The book offers a candid look into Otedola’s business journey, from early setbacks to billion-dollar deals and philanthropy.
- ‘Making It Big’ is aimed at inspiring African entrepreneurs with lessons on leadership, resilience, and economic empowerment.
‘Making It Big,’ the new book by Nigerian billionaire businessman and philanthropist Femi Otedola, is now available for pre-order. Part memoir, part business guide, it offers a personal look at his journey—his ambitions, defining risks, wins, failures, and the lessons in between. The hardcover is priced at $27.99, while the paperback edition is available for $19.99 with Priority shipping. Orders placed within 10 days from Aug. 18, 2025, will receive early delivery.
Inside Otedola’s playbook for entrepreneurs
Described on the book’s official website as “a book of hope, backed up by solutions,” ‘Making It Big’ shares not only Otedola’s business experiences, but also his mindset during difficult times. From making his first billion, to losing it, and building it all back again, the book is both practical and reflective, written to encourage entrepreneurs across Africa and beyond.
When unveiling the book earlier this month, Otedola posted on Instagram and Twitter (now X): “Over the past decade, doors have opened for entrepreneurs in Nigeria that once seemed firmly shut,” he wrote. “I've walked this path myself, facing challenges and breakthroughs that shaped not just my career, but how I define success. In the coming weeks, you’ll be hearing more about that journey. I hope it inspires the next generation of business leaders.”
Otedola has long been one of Africa’s most prominent business figures. A self-made billionaire, he dreamed of owning a business before he turned ten and earned his first billion by 41. He is widely known not only for transforming companies like Forte Oil but also for using his influence and resources to give back. His success has been featured on the cover of Forbes Africa, and he remains one of the continent’s most recognized names in business and philanthropy.
Legacy of leadership, power, and progress
Born into a Lagos family, Otedola is the son of the late Sir Michael Otedola, a former governor of Lagos State, and Lady Doja. His business story began with Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd., which played a critical role in powering Nigeria’s economy in the early 2000s. Between 2001 and 2007, Zenon supplied over 90 percent of the diesel used in the country. Major corporations, including Dangote Group, MTN, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé—relied on it to stay running.
In 2004, he reinvested into infrastructure: building fuel depots in Apapa and Ibafon, acquiring cargo vessels, and purchasing a fleet of tankers to distribute products nationwide. These moves paved the way for bigger opportunities. By 2007, with support from ten Nigerian banks, he secured a $1.5 billion syndicated loan to build Africa’s largest storage facility for premium motor spirit. Later that year, he acquired a controlling stake in African Petroleum, which he later rebranded as Forte Oil Plc—his stake alone at one point valued at over $1.2 billion.
At 40, Otedola became the second Nigerian billionaire to be featured on the Forbes global list, after Aliko Dangote. Over a decade later, he still holds the record as the youngest Nigerian to appear on that list. Yet his focus has always gone beyond status. In 2013, he entered the power sector, acquiring a 414-megawatt plant during Nigeria’s power privatization push. That plant eventually became Geregu Power Plc—now a leading electricity provider in West Africa.
In 2018, he exited the downstream oil business, selling Forte Oil’s assets to concentrate on power and finance—two sectors he believes are central to Nigeria’s future. Today, as chairman of Geregu Power and FirstHoldco Plc, he leads companies that are key players in the Nigerian economy. Geregu’s profit grew from N24.4 billion ($15.8 million) in 2023 to N41.27 billion ($26.8 million) in 2024. The company also received recognition as the “Most Compliant Listed Company of the Year” for its corporate governance practices.
Focused on Africa’s economic opportunity
At FirstHoldco, his influence has been just as significant. In 2024, the company reported earnings of over $2 billion and total assets of $17.46 billion. Under his leadership, it also began construction on a new 44-story headquarters in Eko Atlantic, marking a new chapter for the financial services group. The groundbreaking ceremony drew national attention, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and Aliko Dangote in attendance.
But Otedola’s work isn’t just about building companies. He is equally committed to giving back. A longtime supporter of education, he funds scholarships for financially disadvantaged students through the Sir Michael Otedola Scholarship Awards Foundation. He also made headlines in 2019 with a $14 million donation to Save the Children U.K.—the largest donation ever made by a Nigerian. The money supports vulnerable children in Nigeria’s conflict-hit northeast.
Despite owning homes in cities like London, Dubai, Monte Carlo, Abuja, and Lagos, Otedola remains focused on the future. He serves as Vice President of Save the Children UK and continues to support causes he believes in—especially those tied to children, education, and economic opportunity in Africa. Making It Big is not just a book about business. It’s about starting small, staying focused, and believing in the possibilities ahead. It’s a story that may feel familiar to many, especially those building something from scratch, and a reminder that success, when shared, is even more meaningful.
