Nigerian billionaire businessman and philanthropist Femi Otedola has added another milestone to his growing legacy after his memoir, Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business, was named the First Runner-Up at the Business Council for Africa (BCA) African Business Book of the Year Awards 2026.
The prestigious recognition, sponsored by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), celebrates books that make significant contributions to business leadership, entrepreneurship and economic development across the continent.
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Otedola’s memoir secured second place in the highly competitive awards, earning a $5,000 prize. Since its release, the book has received widespread acclaim for its candid account of the entrepreneur’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of Africa’s most influential business leaders. Through personal stories and hard-earned lessons, Making It Big offers practical insights into leadership, resilience, strategic thinking and long-term value creation.
Reacting to the recognition, Otedola expressed gratitude to readers and supporters in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. “Making It Big keeps making moves. 🥈 First runner up, BCA African Business Book of the Year 2026. Thank you all 🙌🏾 … F.Ote💲,” he wrote.
His message quickly resonated with followers, many of whom congratulated him on the latest achievement and praised the impact the memoir has had on entrepreneurs, executives and young professionals seeking inspiration from one of Nigeria’s most accomplished business figures.
Published under the title Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business, the memoir chronicles Otedola’s entrepreneurial journey, detailing the defining moments, difficult decisions and business philosophies that shaped his career. Beyond recounting personal successes and setbacks, the book has been recognised for offering valuable lessons on building sustainable enterprises and navigating the complexities of doing business in Africa.
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The African Business Book of the Year Awards recognise outstanding publications that advance conversations around business excellence, innovation, leadership and economic transformation across the continent. The awards are organised by the Business Council for Africa (BCA) in partnership with leading business publications, including BrandComms, African Business and New African.
The latest honour further strengthens Otedola’s reputation not only as one of Africa’s foremost investors but also as a respected thought leader whose experiences continue to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.
