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By Chioma Momah
This is the second memoir I’ve read this year, and I must say that memoirs, biographies, and similar works have always been a genre I deeply enjoy. There’s something powerful about hearing directly from those who have walked remarkable paths. In Making It Big, Femi Otedola, one of Nigeria’s most prominent multi-billionaires, takes readers into his world with unexpected openness, a lot of honesty and refreshing depth.
From cutting the nails of his father’s friends for a fee to running his dad’s printing press and eventually managing multi-billion-naira enterprises, Femi Otedola truly knows more than a thing or two about making it big.
In this candid memoir, Otedola opens up about his early years, his family, and the choices that shaped his rise to prominence. It was surprising to learn that he never completed secondary school or attended university, yet his entrepreneurial instincts, encouraged by his father, were evident from a young age. Though this decision initially broke his mother’s heart, she eventually embraced his chosen path. His story at different points shows the importance of family.
What stands out most in this book is his honesty. Otedola does not shy away from discussing his mistakes, especially those that came from building businesses without structure. He shares how poor systems almost derailed his ventures and how he rebuilt, prioritising governance, capable teams, and due diligence.
While the extensive list of his philanthropic acts felt unnecessary, it may have been his way of showing the world how important giving is to him. His account of being deeply saddened when he could not donate to a Catholic university because he was in debt, and how he later fulfilled that promise once he regained financial stability, reveals both vulnerability and faith.
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The book is structured around 23 life lessons, with titles such as Start Small, Keep Dreaming, Know Your Market, and Don’t Fool Around with Your Health. The final lesson, Appreciate the God Factor, captures the spiritual thread that is important for all mortals to acknowledge.
Otedola is forthright, naming those who stood by him and those who betrayed him. He shares thoughts on relationships, forgiveness, and the importance of maintaining integrity and good health. He warns about the company one keeps, stresses the value of listening to one’s inner voice, and reminds readers that not everyone will like you, and that’s fine. He also cautions against philandering, pointing out how such distractions can destroy focus, family, and ultimately, fortune.
For me, one of the biggest lessons was knowing when to move on. Otedola demonstrates the wisdom of stepping back, reinventing oneself, and starting again with courage. His story also highlights the power of soft skills; his interpersonal ease clearly helped him attract loyal employees and navigate the corridors of power.
Making It Big is more than the story of a successful businessman. It is a reflection on resilience, reinvention, and the grace of second chances. It gives us a glimpse of Femi as not just a man of fortune but of family and faith. Femi Otedola’s voice rings with humility, faith, and an unmistakable confidence that comes from experience.
•Chioma Momah is a lawyer, author, coach , and public policy professional. She is currently the Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Guinness Nigeria PLC
