Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business Paperback – August 18, 2025

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. 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. 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. 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. Read more