Former World Bank vice president and treasurer Arunma Oteh has hailed Making It Big, the upcoming memoir of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, as a brutally honest and essential account of entrepreneurship in a developing country.
In advance praise for the book, Ms. Oteh pointed to one of its most striking revelations — Otedola’s candid admission of a personal weakness at a pivotal moment in his career.
“When a very successful person openly tells you their weaknesses, you know you are reading an honest account,” Oteh wrote in the blurb. “Femi tells us a frank story of how he stopped being chief executive and transitioned to being an entrepreneur to save his business empire.”
The excerpt, shared by Otedola on his X (formerly Twitter) page on Thursday, highlights a defining chapter in his life: stepping down as CEO of his own company to secure its survival. Far from a mark of failure, the move reflects a shift in leadership style and self-awareness that many leaders often resist.
Ms. Oteh, who also served as director general of the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission, commended the memoir for tackling topics rarely addressed publicly — including the intricate relationship between business and politics.
“This is one of the most important books you will ever read on entrepreneurship in a developing country,” she added.
At 61, Otedola remains one of Africa’s most prominent business figures. As Chairman of Geregu Power Plc and former Chairman of Forte Oil, his investments span energy, finance, shipping, and real estate. Over the years, he has become as well known for his philanthropy as for his boardroom influence.
Set for release this month, Making It Big: The Story of Femi Otedola chronicles his rise through Nigeria’s turbulent business climate, his encounters with economic and political crises, and the lessons drawn from both triumphs and setbacks.
With high-profile endorsements already in circulation, the memoir is shaping up to be more than a tale of wealth and ambition. It promises a rare, unfiltered look at the sacrifices, tough decisions, and complex realities behind building — and preserving — a business empire in an emerging market.
