Renowned Nigerian billionaire and philanthropist Femi Otedola has revealed why he dropped out of school, admitting that academics were never his strong point. In his newly released 286-page memoir, “Making It Big”, Otedola traced his humble beginnings, struggles with education, and how those challenges eventually shaped his remarkable business journey.
Otedola’s Early School Struggles
Otedola recalled starting at the University of Lagos Staff School in 1968 at the age of six. Despite his parents’ efforts, his academic journey was rocky.
“There was something about academia and me; we were not compatible,” he wrote.
After primary school, he proceeded to Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos, in 1974, but his academic performance failed to improve. Hoping for a turnaround, his parents transferred him to Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, where his siblings were excelling. Unfortunately, Otedola’s passion for academics dwindled even further.
Discovering His True Passion
His breakthrough came when his father established Impact Press, a printing company in Surulere, Lagos. Otedola became fascinated with the machines and decided that his future lay in business, not the classroom.
By the time he completed his Lower Sixth exams, he made the life-changing decision to drop out, ignoring his mother’s objections. At just 25 years old, in 1987, he had already risen to become the Managing Director of Impact Press.
Choosing Independence Over Comfort
Driven by ambition, Otedola convinced his father to let him work as a sales consultant at the press, earning commissions of 10–15% on jobs he brought in. He reinvested his earnings into cars for sales and marketing, which helped him build valuable networks and sharpen his entrepreneurial skills.
“I enjoyed the smell of ink and the sound of machines far more than grappling with the Pythagoras theorem in school,” he confessed.
This early risk set the stage for the empire he would later build in oil, energy, finance, and philanthropy.
From Dropout to Business Mogul
What began as a dropout’s gamble became the foundation of one of Nigeria’s most inspiring success stories. Today, Femi Otedola is celebrated not just for his wealth but for his resilience, foresight, and impact in both business and philanthropy.
👉 What do you think about Otedola’s story—is formal education overrated in achieving success? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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