By Muhammad Mamman
Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist Femi Otedola launched his highly anticipated memoir, Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business, on Monday, captivating readers with a raw and riveting account of his meteoric rise from humble roots to global tycoon. Released simultaneously in hardcover and paperback, the book is now available worldwide through major retailers, including makingitbigbook.com and Dymocks, Australia’s largest bookseller.
In Making It Big, Otedola pulls back the curtain on his extraordinary journey, detailing how he built a business empire spanning oil and gas, shipping, power, real estate, and finance, amassing a fortune by age 41. With unflinching honesty, he recounts the high-stakes risks, devastating setbacks, and relentless reinvention that defined his path as one of Africa’s most influential entrepreneurs.
“This is more than a memoir—it’s a blueprint for turning dreams into reality and crises into opportunities,” Otedola said at the London launch. The book serves as both a personal saga and a masterclass in resilience, urging readers to dream boldly and build enterprises that leave a lasting legacy.
Endorsed by global heavyweights like Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, and Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, the memoir has already been hailed as a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, called it “a rare and inspiring account from an African business titan, offering timeless lessons for the next generation.”
Beyond his boardroom triumphs, Otedola reflects on his deep commitment to philanthropy, detailing transformative contributions to education, healthcare, religious institutions, and disaster relief. As Executive Chairman of Geregu Power PLC and Chairman of FirstHoldCo PLC, he continues to shape Africa’s economic future while championing its cultural identity.
Making It Big is more than a success story—it’s a clarion call to redefine what’s possible. Available globally starting August 18, 2025, the memoir promises to inspire and guide the next wave of African leaders.
