Making It Big: Lessons From A Life In Business

This week, Nairobi will host one of the most anticipated literary highlights of the year: the African Book Fair, and among the notable mentions will be Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business, the memoir of Nigerian billionaire, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Femi Otedola, set to be launched on August 18, 2025.

A rare self-penned account from one of Africa’s foremost business leaders, Making It Big blends an inspiring life story with hard-earned business wisdom.

Otedola takes readers on a journey from his childhood dreams of running his own company, through the dizzying heights of making his first billion at just 41, to the humbling setbacks that tested his resilience, and his eventual return as a leading force in African business.

The memoir doesn’t just chronicle a career; it provides a window into the high-stakes world of oil and gas, shipping, real estate, finance, and power, sectors where Otedola has left an indelible mark.

His story captures the essence of entrepreneurial grit: spotting opportunities in unlikely places, turning crises into reinvention, and viewing failure not as a dead end but as a valuable teacher.

“Not many know the behind-the-scenes origin story of Zenon,” he writes, recalling how his petroleum company rose from obscurity to dominate Nigeria’s diesel market. Far from being handed a monopoly “on a silver platter,” Otedola describes years of “blood, sweat, and tears” that went unseen by the public until his success became undeniable.

Yet, Making It Big is not purely a playbook for business dominance. It reflects deeply on Otedola’s philanthropic work, which has seen billions of naira directed toward education, healthcare, religious institutions, and disaster relief. From endowing scholarships across Nigeria to serving as Chancellor of Augustine University in Ilara-Epe, his legacy is as much about giving back as it is about personal achievement.

The book also breaks new ground in African literature. As World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala notes, there are “very few books by successful African business leaders documenting their journey and sharing lessons learned for posterity — in particular for a younger generation.”

High-profile endorsements pour in from across the continent. African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina calls it “a highly recommended read for anyone who aspires to be successful in a challenging environment,” while Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, hails it as “a must-read for all business leaders, policymakers, and young people venturing into the world of entrepreneurship.”

Through personal anecdotes, Otedola sheds light on the unpredictable forces that shaped his career. He recalls the political upheaval of 1993 under General Sani Abacha, which pushed him to strike out independently with a money-lending business, an early taste of risk and innovation that would define his path. Later, he identified Nigeria’s chronic diesel shortages as both a problem and a business opportunity, ultimately building a company that kept industries and households running in a country plagued by unreliable electricity.

But at its core, Making It Big is a study in mindset. Otedola urges readers to build self-confidence and surround themselves with “people who will support you,” acknowledging that some will try to “slam the door in your face” while others will open it. His message is as much about resilience in life as it is about strategy in business.

Now available in paperback and hardcover, the book is already drawing attention from both corporate leaders and young entrepreneurs eager to learn from someone who has navigated Africa’s volatile business terrain with both vision and tenacity.

The African Book Fair in Nairobi will provide yet another platform for its influence to spread, spotlighting not just Otedola’s achievements but also his call for a new generation of African visionaries to dream big and dare boldly.

For those attending the Fair, the mention of Making It Big promises to be a standout moment, a reminder that African success stories, told in the author’s voice, are not just inspiring but vital to shaping the continent’s economic and cultural future.

Copies can be purchased via the official site, makingitbigbook.com, and readers are urged to buy only from verified sellers to avoid fraudulent editions. As Otedola’s life proves, making it big isn’t just about seizing opportunities; it’s about leaving a legacy worth remembering — a message bound to resonate far beyond Nairobi this weekend.

The book will be available in the following stores:

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