Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business by Femi Otedola - Hardback

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. When Femi Otedola, one of Nigeria’s and Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs, decides to capture his experiences in the form of this book, it is important! As the author himself notes, there are very few books by successful African business leaders documenting their journey and sharing lessons learned for posterity, but in particular for a younger generation.” – NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, Director General, World Trade Organization (from the Preface)

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.

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.

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.

“The book is a must-read for all business leaders, policy makers and young people venturing into the world of entrepreneurship and business.” – DR. AKINWUMI A. ADESINA, President, African Development Bank Group

“As someone who came from an entrepreneurial family myself […] I vividly relate with this enriching account, that effectively unpacks useful insights for surmounting business hurdles, as well as connecting many corporate dots for budding entrepreneurs. This is a highly recommended read for anyone who aspires to be successful in a challenging environment.” – ALIKO DANGOTE, GCON, President/CE, Dangote Group