Femi Otedola: From Billionaire to Bankruptcy and Back – Lessons From The Making It Big Book by Femi Otedola

When the billionaire Femi Otedola hit rock bottom, the fall was brutal. According to his own account, he owed nearly every major bank in Nigeria. His debts totaled around $ 1.2 billion, as of then, which is approximately 220 billion Naira. He lost companies, properties, and prestige. But despite all the downfall, He came back stronger. 

In his memoir “Making It Big”, Femi Otedola tells the full story of how he dug himself out of the hole. It’s not just a billionaire tale; it’s a guide for anyone facing business setbacks. The book is about his rise, collapse, and remarkable recovery. 

Rising to the Top 

Femi Otedola was born in 1962. He grew up in Ibadan. He is the son of Michael Otedola, who later became the governor of Lagos state. Femi Otedola ran a printing business before moving into oil and gas. 

By the early 2000s, he founded Zenon Petroleum & Gas, which specialized in diesel supply. He is indeed a market leader. Firstly, He invested in a 147,000 metric ton storage depot in Apapa. He then built one of the largest fleets of fuel tanker trucks in Africa. He also dominated diesel distribution in Nigeria, supplying major industries, from manufacturing to shipping. 

His appetite for success was strong. He acquired African Petroleum, rebranding it as Forte Oil, and invested heavily in banking stocks. In 2009, Forbes estimated his net worth at $1.2 billion. Otedola was indeed the golden boy of Nigerian capitalism. 

The Fall – Oil Price Crash 

The same year he touched billionaire status, disaster struck. He had ordered massive amounts of diesel when global oil prices were at $147 per barrel. But by the time shipments arrived in Nigeria, the price had crashed to around $40. Overnight, he was left with diesel worth less than what he owed suppliers. 

As if that wasn’t enough, the Naira has fallen from #120 per dollar to #167 per dollar. For a businessman with huge dollar-denominated loans, this was a big problem. 

For someone who has large holdings in Nigerian banks, the crisis wiped out much of his wealth. He breaks it down in his book.

. $480m lost due to the oil price crash 

. $258m lost to Naira devaluation 

. $320m in accumulated interest 

. $160m lost in the stock market 

That’s $1.2 billion in total losses. 

From Darling to Enemy 

When things were good, banks courted him with everything, red carpets, business dinners, and even some managers would do anything just to win his deposit. 

But when things turned sour, the tone changed. Femi Otedola recalls waking up to thugs stationed at his gate, sent by creditors demanding repayment.

His reputation collapsed very fast. Just imagine someone who’s once hailed as Nigeria’s youngest billionaire suddenly becomes who people whispered about as the country’s biggest debtor. 

In his book, Femi Otedola admits that the pressure pushed him to the brink of despair. He even contemplated suicide before choosing a different path, which is taking accountability. This was his turning point; instead of running, hiding, or scheming, he decided to face the crisis. Just as he quoted in his book, “The death of Zenon was the birth of Femi Otedola”. 

The Recovery 

Femi Otedola’s comeback wasn’t built on luck. It was built on hard and painful choices. He liquidated nearly all his assets. He sold his private jet, His fuel trucks, He sold his real estate in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, Sold his shares in banks and oil companies. He sold almost everything just to reduce the mountain of debt he was in. 

Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), the government agency set up to absorb toxic debts after the banking crisis. AMCON purchased Otedola’s loan from commercial banks, giving him a structured way to settle. It wasn’t a bailout; it still cost him nearly everything, but it gave him a breathing space. 

By 2013, he had fully settled with AMCON, walking away debt-free but stripped down to the essentials. 

Starting Small Again 

After selling most of his assets, all he had left was a controlling stake in Forte Oil, his office space, and a few personal homes, but with focus, he rebuilt. He streamlined Forte Oil into a leaner, which is a more profitable business. In 2013, the company acquired a stake in Geregu Power Plant, a 414 megawatt facility. His decision to move into electricity wasn’t just another business gamble; it became the bold step that gave his career a whole new chapter. 

By 2019, Femi Otedola sold his stake in Forte Oil to focus entirely on Geregu Power, which has since become a leading energy company in Nigeria. In 2022, Geregu listed on the Nigerian Exchange, confirming his full return to billionaire status. 

Lessons Learnt From His Comeback 

Femi Otedola doesn’t just tell his story; he draws lessons for entrepreneurs. Here are the lessons. 

. Integrity is Currency: Even when drowning in debt, he chose not to run. He paid back. He knew that a business reputation is built on trust; once it’s gone, no amount of money can buy it back. 

. Know Yourself: He realized he was an entrepreneur, not a manager. His strength was spotting opportunities and taking risks, not just managing a large company. While recovering, he hired professionals to manage his company while he focused on improving. 

. Simplify your Life: Femi Otedola cuts distractions and lives lean while rebuilding. He emphasizes minimalism in possessions, decision-making. 

. Embrace setbacks as Teachers: He insists the collapse was his greatest education. Without it, he might never have discovered discipline, humility, or the power of resilience. 

By the mid-2010s, Otedola was back on the Forbes billionaire list. His investment in Geregu power has proven visionary, especially as Nigeria’s energy needs grow. 

Today, he serves as the Chairman of Geregu Power, Chairman of FBN Holdings plc (First Bank parent company). He is also a philanthropist, known for multi-million naira donations to education and health care.

His story isn’t just about business; it’s about character. He rose fast, fell hard, and climbed back through integrity, sacrifice, and focus. In an era where shortcuts and cover-ups are common, his decision to face debt with honesty sets him apart. 

Today, his empire is proof that resilience, when combined with discipline and vision, can turn the darkest collapse into a brighter future. 

As he writes in his book Making It Big, “Success is not how high you fly, but how you rise after you crash”. 

Stay Jiggy, Stay Fresh, Stay Real. 

Life is better when you Stay Jiggy !