Kemi Ajumobi 
In Nigeria’s business terrain and beyond, one person whose name often finds its way in the list of success stories, despite various business hurdles crossed, is Femi Otedola. His family name is one that can’t be ignored or forgotten easily because his father, late Sir Michael Otedola left an enduring legacy. He was the former governor of Lagos State.
When you come from such a background, it behooves upon you to ensure the legacy continues. This Femi did and extended into the business terrain by lifting Forte Oil PLC into a level of greatness that only men with vision, grace and guts can dare. Forte oil PLC became a top valued and high functioning organisation especially on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. This bold move opened unfathomable doors, showing to the global stage that there is more to Nigeria than what is being read in the news.
It showed that optimism can rise in the business terrain and that despite obstacles in running an effective business, as long as you do not give up, you can thrive. This determination, consistency and results opened doors, led to winning numerous awards and the company became a key point of reference and investment of choice within the Oil and Gas Industry.
Femi Otedola also founded Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, but that isn’t all there is to the Lagosian, he diversified into other businesses that include real estate, finance and shipping.
Surely, when you make such business sense and impact, you glide easily through the lens of organisations like Forbes Africa, who have interviewed and profiled him and his business in a way that projects hope for anyone who dares to dream like Femi did, showing that if he did, then you can too.
Though he is referred to as “former” chairman of Forte Oil PLC, his legacy extends and he certainly remains in the business terrain, crushing daunting challenges, aiming for greater heights and trying new fortes…like writing a book!
Titled: Making It Big, the book is a buffet of several servings. You will see it as a memoir and also see it as a book on business. He opens up on his trials and triumphs. He was very vulnerable about his challenges and open about his journey. He shared his losses and his gains. This is quite inspiring because people see the gold but not everyone talks about the burning period of the process through the fire before the gold becomes desirable. Life is a process and Femi didn’t miss words in sharing his tale.
From being honoured with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), to being Chancellor of Augustine University in Ilara, Epe, Lagos State and leading on several boards, to being acknowledged for his numerous uplifting philanthropic gestures like donating $14m to the Save the Children Fund, supporting programmes for destitute children in the north-eastern region of Nigeria among others, Femi Otedola is a name that will not only always be mentioned for his impact but will be remembered for good.
However, in all of these, he is well-liked for the love he openly shows to his family (Four children and a beautiful wife).
Since at Inspiring Woman Africa we are saying “We’ve Got Men”, we admire the relationship he has with his three beautiful daughters, who he often engages with on social media to the admiration of followers and lovers of joy, because those dance steps he tries out with either Dj Cuppy or Temi leaves me in “stitches” I don’t know about you.
I end with this: Life will happen but make sure you are in your own driver’s seat, focused on your goals because you have the power to make it happen. Go and get his book, so you can also learn the process of “Making It Big.”