Table of Contents
Key Points
- Femi Otedola launches memoir ‘Making It Big,’ hardcover priced at $27.99, paperback $19.99, detailing his rise as a self-made billionaire.
- Book offers personal and professional insights, chronicling Otedola’s milestones, challenges, and early ambitions in Africa’s business landscape.
- Available globally via Amazon, Waterstones, and Book Peddler, endorsed by Aliko Dangote, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Akinwumi Adesina.
Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola has stepped into the literary world with the release of his much-anticipated memoir, 'Making It Big', a candid reflection on the personal and professional journey that has defined one of Africa’s most influential business figures.
Distributed across Africa, U.K., Amazon
The book, officially launched this morning, offers readers an intimate glimpse into the challenges, breakthroughs, and pivotal moments that have shaped Otedola’s life and career, underscoring the principles that guided his rise to success. The memoir is now available across Africa and internationally, including through Waterstones and Book Peddler in the United Kingdom, as well as Amazon, with further details accessible via the book’s official website, www.makingitbigbook.com.
In a social media announcement marking the release, Otedola reflected on the long journey of bringing the book to life. “Today is the day! I am so pleased to announce that 'Making It Big' is now available for all those interested in my journey to the top, as well as the principles and experiences that helped me get there. I first started writing this book back in 2017 and finished it in 2019. I had planned to share it then, but the release was put on hold because of Covid-19. Now, after all this time, I’m beyond grateful to finally bring it into the world. Secure your copy of 'Making It Big' at Waterstones or Amazon,” he wrote.
Memoir highlights business triumphs, setbacks
Blending personal narrative with actionable business insights, 'Making It Big' traces Otedola’s early ambitions, the calculated risks he undertook, and the successes and setbacks that shaped his career in the world of business and philanthropy.
Long before the headlines and accolades, he was a young Nigerian with big ideas, and through the memoir, readers encounter not just the triumphs but also the missteps that contributed to his growth. By recounting both the wins and the losses, Otedola delivers a rare and transparent account of life as a self-made billionaire in Africa, a perspective still seldom found in African business literature.
The memoir has already captured attention among African business leaders and international financial figures. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and Nigerian businessman Samuel Adedoyin have praised the book, alongside prominent global economic figures, including World Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, both calling it “important” and “a must-read.”
Transforming companies, shaping legacies
Otedola’s narrative not only recounts his professional milestones but also illuminates the ethos that underpins his approach to business and philanthropy. The chairman of Geregu Power and First HoldCo, the parent company of Nigeria’s oldest lender, Otedola dreamed of owning a business before he turned ten and achieved his first billion by the age of 41.
He is renowned for transforming companies such as Forte Oil and leveraging his resources to make a broader impact, cementing his place among Africa’s most recognized business leaders. His story has been chronicled on the cover of Forbes Africa, and through 'Making It Big', he now offers readers a deeper understanding of the experiences, principles, and personal reflections that contributed to his achievements.
'Making It Big' is available in hardcover for $27.99 and paperback for $19.99, with priority shipping for early orders placed within ten days of August 18, 2025. By combining vivid storytelling with practical insights, Otedola’s memoir promises to resonate not only with those familiar with his work but also with a new generation of readers seeking guidance, inspiration, and a firsthand look at the mindset of one of Africa’s most accomplished entrepreneurs.
