Femi Otedola’s recently released memoir, Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business, has sparked heated discussions across Nigeria, with X buzzing with contrasting reactions.
The billionaire’s candid account of his journey, from dropping out of school to building an energy empire, has divided opinions, with some praising his hustle and others labeling him a privileged “nepo baby” who leveraged family wealth.
Critics argue Otedola’s success stems from his father’s influence as a former Lagos State Governor during Nigeria’s Third Republic.
One X user remarked, “He could afford to ‘drop out’ of school and claim being ‘incompatible with academia’ because his father was rich, influential, and powerful. He had family money to fall back on. Don’t let him sell you half-truths.”
This sentiment portrays Otedola as someone whose path was paved by privilege, dismissing his narrative of resilience as misleading.
On the other hand, supporters highlight Otedola’s hands-on beginnings, as detailed in his memoir.
He describes selling diesel door-to-door, riding alongside a driver named Samson in a pick-up van, before founding Zenon Petroleum and Gas, which became a dominant force in Nigeria’s diesel market.
“To prosper, accept that nothing is beneath you,” Otedola writes, emphasizing his early hustle.
A defender on X echoed this, stating, “Picture Femi Otedola, son of a governor, selling diesel in drums. That’s real grit. His story shows hard work, not just privilege.”
The debate also touches on Otedola’s comeback after losing N200 billion in the 2008 oil crash.
While some applaud his recovery rebuilding through investments in Geregu Power Plc and FBN Holdings, others argue his connections gave him an unfair advantage.
Posts on X reflect this divide, with some calling his philanthropy, like a N750 million donation to Augustine University, a genuine act of giving, while others see it as a calculated move to boost his image.
