Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business

FEMI OTEDOLA is one of Africa's greatest philanthropists. The self-made entrepreneur and Forbes-rated billionaire dreamt of his first business before he was ten years old and made his first billion by the age of 41.

Part business book, part memoir, this book charts Otedola's ambition, hard work, successes, challenges and setbacks - from making a billion, to losing a billion to making it back again and, as one of Africa's richest men, settling into a philanthropic role to give back to the continent.

Otedola's role as disruptor in his country's oil industry transformed Forte Oil Plc into one of the highest performing companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. In 2010 he was awarded the prestigious National Honour of "Commander of the Order of the Niger - CON" in recognition of his contributions to the growth of Nigeria's economy and for his philanthropy. He was appointed a vice-president of Save the Children, the UK-based charity in 2021, and he is the chancellor at Augustine University, Epe.

Making It Big is a masterclass in attaining and maintaining a positive mindset and a reminder that it is possible to defy the odds, no matter how stacked they are against you. Packed with personal philosophies and business lessons, this is a book of hope, backed up by solutions, written to inspire entrepreneurs in Africa and from everywhere.

Author: Femi Otedola
Publisher: Fo Books
Published: 08/18/2025
Pages: 298
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.91lbs
Size: 9.25h x 6.02w x 0.67d
ISBN: 9789786977485

About the Author
Otedola, Femi: - Femi Otedola, iconic Nigerian businessman who has graced the front cover of Forbes Africa, is a philanthropist, and former chairman of Forte Oil PLC. He hails from one of Nigeria's prominent families, and is the son of the late Sir Michael Otedola, former governor of Lagos State, and Lady Doja. His vision transformed Forte Oil PLC into one of the highest performing companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which grew exponentially to become a model of possibilities inherent in Nigeria, winning accolades, and crucially becoming the investment of choice within the Oil and Gas Industry, including the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A business magnate, he founded Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, and is the owner of several other businesses across shipping, real estate and finance. Recognized for his contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy, he was awarded the prestigious honour of "Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)" in May 2010 and is the current Chancellor of Augustine University in Ilara, Epe, Lagos State. He has held several board memberships from president of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping; past chairman of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja; member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, member of the National Economic Management Team and Honorary International Investors Council under the leadership of Baroness Lynda Chalker. A philanthropist at heart with strong values, and a keen involvement in educational causes, Femi Otedola continuously demonstrates his passion for his community, Epe, Lagos State, and Nigeria, through generous donations supporting financially disadvantaged students via the Sir Michael Otedola Scholarship Awards Foundation. In November 284 Making It Big 2019, he donated $14m (USD) to the Save the Children Fund, supporting programmes for destitute children in the north-eastern region of Nigeria. He is the vice-president of Save the Children UK. A family man, he is married with four children.