Billionaire entrepreneur, Femi Otedola has revealed that he did not complete his secondary school education and never obtained a university degree before entering the business world.
The 62-year-old made the disclosure in his new 286-page memoir, Making It Big , released on Monday last week.
In the book, Otedola recounts his early struggles with academics and how he eventually found his true calling in business through his father’s printing press.
He began his education at the University of Lagos Staff School in 1968 but consistently struggled with academics. He later attended Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos , and then Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo .
Despite several attempts by his parents to improve his performance by changing schools, he left before completing his A-Levels.
“I managed to remain in school until the Lower Sixth examination was over. And then, I was finished; I never returned for my Upper Sixth,” Otedola wrote.
After leaving school, Otedola joined his father’s printing company, Impact Press, where he rose to become Managing Director in 1987 at the age of 25. He later worked as a Sales Consultant for the Company, attracting major clients and building the confidence to start his own venture.
By 1994, he founded Centre Force Ltd. with a capital of ₦10 million. Over the years, he expanded his interests into Oil and Gas, Shipping, Real Estate, and Finance .
Otedola went on to serve as Chairman of Forte Oil before moving into the power sector with Geregu Power Plc . He is now the Chairman of FirstHoldco Plc , one of Nigeria’s largest financial services groups.
According to him, his mother, Lady Doja Otedola , initially opposed his decision to leave school, but the choice ultimately paved the way for his business empire.
Femi Otedola, son of the late Sir Michael Otedola , former Governor of Lagos State, stressed in Making It Bigthat his greatest lessons came from practical experience and observing his father , not from formal education.
