Femi Otedola has released his memoir, Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business. The book officially launched in London on August 18 and is available worldwide in both hardcover and paperback.
Otedola reveals his early ambitions, business setbacks, and eventual success across oil, power, real estate, and finance. He writes with a direct, reflective voice that traces his path from modest beginnings to becoming a billionaire by age 41 and rebuilding when fortune waned.
The memoir was unveiled online through a dedicated site, makingitbigbook.com, where readers can pre-order the book and view select previews leading up to its release.
High-profile figures in global finance have welcomed the memoir. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, calls it a vital account that will inspire Africa’s younger entrepreneurs. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, describes the book as a must-read for business leaders and policymakers alike.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, praises it as a “remarkable masterclass” in converting challenges into opportunities, drawing parallels with his own entrepreneurial journey. Arunma Oteh, a former World Bank executive, respects Otedola’s transparency in sharing both vulnerability and success, particularly how he shifted from CEO to entrepreneur to preserve his business empire.
The memoir offers both personal reflections and practical insights. Otedola delves into moments like his late-night diesel cargo call, explaining how decisive actions during market downturns shaped his empire. Readers also encounter the human element: lessons in resilience, humility, and maintaining purpose through highs and lows.
Beyond business, Otedola explores his philanthropic motivations. He details contributions to education, healthcare, and disaster relief, framed in personal stories that convey why giving back matters to him.
The global rollout is impressively coordinated. Readers in the UK can find it in Waterstones and Book Peddler, while across Africa it will be available in bookstores from Lagos to Nairobi, Accra and beyond. The logistics reinforce Otedola’s intent: this is not only his story, but a legacy to be shared.
Making It Big stands out in African business literature. Its combination of candid chaptering, strategic reflection, and cultural context offers readers a rare window into a life shaped by bold moves and deliberate reinventions. It will likely become required reading for aspiring leaders across the continent.
