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How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola - Business (3) - Nairaland

Nairaland ForumNairaland GeneralBusinessHow I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola (31295 Views)

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Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by smtx(m): 6:29pm On Aug 19, 2025
tommy589:
If you tell them unborn children from poor homes will still become billionaires in Nigeria they won't believe.There is no standard formula to wealth.Abiola and most of the old money did not come from rich homes.
Coming from a wealthy background only enhances connection to opportunities not that it guarantees direct access to wealth.
What do you mean it doesn't guarantee direct access to wealth? How much more direct can it be when one is born with wealth - that is direct access already na!
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by chidan1214: 6:30pm On Aug 19, 2025
Naija una forget say him Papa was for governor of Lagos, short memory, add 1 + 1 and tell me d answer
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by meobizy(m): 6:35pm On Aug 19, 2025
Too long to read and wouldn’t inspire my existence. He’ll hide the true route to wealth. All billionaires do.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by lagonovo: 6:35pm On Aug 19, 2025
Who Pythagoras at Olivet help grin
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Doyin2(m): 6:42pm On Aug 19, 2025
Femi Otedola will never tell us how being the son of a former governor,contributed to his billionaire status,🤗
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by smtx(m): 6:42pm On Aug 19, 2025
amaridigital:
You are wrong. Absolutely wrong. Is Otedola the only Billionaire pikin in Nigeria? This is the 4th richest person in Nigeria for crying out loud. Where are ojukwu's pikin, Abiola's pikin, Balewa's, Folawiyo's pikin, Babangida's pikin? Was his father the only former Governor in Nigeria? Where are the kids of our past presidents? Remember that the guy isn't in active politics oh. Have you forgotten that Bode George was once a Governor? This guy's story is a great motivation for people all over. Haba, na so e easy!! Otedola is arguably the few names ringing since the 90's in Nigeria. The guy really tries oh. Kudos to you senior man. You are an inspiration to millions. What you went through was enough to discourage you and turned you into a wayward kid or a druggie but you stood your ground and fought your battle. The psychological effect of your learning difficulties must have been difficult to bear especially among your siblings and a mom who would be so worried but you fought your demon and overcame. Today only 4 Nigerians are on the Forbes Billionaires list and you, not former Governors, not former Presidents but you, Otedola are one of them. What an inspiration you are.
So True!
And when they say his father was a Governor of Lagos State, it's funny.... Cos his father was a Governor for 10 months before Abacha took over....
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by stevups(m): 7:05pm On Aug 19, 2025
The story that did not add up. Your father was once a gov. You are not exceptional
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Mirasteel: 7:50pm On Aug 19, 2025
School won't teach hlyou how to be rich you have yo use your brains and work smart.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by JuanDeDios: 8:04pm On Aug 19, 2025
Factcheck0001:
check his records

His family have been big in Lagos since, his grandpa was once a governor.

It's just like adelabu the present minister of power coming to give motivational talk when we all know where he's coming from
I know his father was governor. For 6 months or so. Other than that, just a regular person. I don't know that his grandfather was anything in particular.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by gerizzim: 8:41pm On Aug 19, 2025
smtx:
So True!
And when they say his father was a Governor of Lagos State, it's funny.... Cos his father was a Governor for 10 months before Abacha took over....
the duration may be short but the links, connection and social network he has in corridor of power dt short time frame was also part of his leverage.

if only we knew how a regular man cn bcom rich overnyt when he is surrounded with rich people.

I remba bk den when I use to go with my in-law to one big govt parastatal bk den in abj. Na there I know say by just one referral there you don blow overnyt.

leverage is just what we need not really whether you go to sch or didn't go and not a question of weda you are serious or not serious.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Nobody: 9:08pm On Aug 19, 2025
Islie:
Billionaire Femi Otedola recounts how his struggle with academics pushed him out of the classroom and into the world of business, where he would eventually build his fortune.




https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/815072-how-i-dropped-out-of-high-school-and-didnt-go-to-university-femi-otedola.html
Well, as a unilag old grad the popular knowledge was that he's an alumnus of the school.

I might as well buy the book........It had better have more juices.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Wasky101: 9:45pm On Aug 19, 2025
If una like make una say school nah scam. He dropped out cos he had a comfortable background to fall on
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Judd007: 10:19pm On Aug 19, 2025
Agreed, but my children must go school, because his own children are graduates, no be me una go deceive.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Halo22: 10:32pm On Aug 19, 2025
No need spewing thrash, Otedola just narrated his past with formal education and he didn't go along from his points. I just simply consolidated on some points I have earlier been emphasizing on from time immemorial.

Formal education is not a guarantee for financial success and prosperity. If you want to make it reach in this country, no too go school. Focus on your dreams and work towards implementing it. Most importantly, if you want to be stupendously rich, start up a business and build it along with yourself.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by LOVEGINO(m): 11:47pm On Aug 19, 2025
Factcheck0001:
Hmmmm

Billionaire pikin...


Personally left to me I don't see any big deal about this cos even a brain dead billionaire pikin still has great advantage than the most brilliant student from the poorest home.


Stories that motivate me are stories of rags to riches not stories of billionaire pikin to billionaire.

For people who will come here to attack me, let me drop a quick one for u.

When we were young, we had a guy called Felix, he was so dull in school that he had F in all his subjects n we nicknamed him ozone layer.

As it was then, public schools were still very standard so Felix was told to repeat, all his father did was just send him to a private school n was part of PTA committee viam Felix finish secondary school.

The father being a big custom officer no waste time, Felix the ozone layer was sponsored abroad n today e get mouth pass we wey brilliant for class then.


Imagine someone who travelled abroad immediately after secondary school around 2007, imagine how much e go don make n how soft him go b by now.
my brother pave ways for your descendants oooo.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by delpee(f): 1:46am On Aug 20, 2025
Lukuluku69:
Largely help by his Father being the Governor of Lagos.

He was his Dad's Bagman.

Though he managed it well but that also contributed to his Rise.
You obviously didn't read the story.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Lukuluku69(m): 1:54am On Aug 20, 2025
delpee:
You obviously didn't read the story.
I did. He said he didn't finish School nor get a Degree.

And yet he made it big in Business and I am saying he leverage on his Father's Wealth.

Sure he carved a niche for himself but he got a big boost from his Dad when he was the Governor of Lagos. He was his Dad's Bagman.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Lukuluku69(m): 2:06am On Aug 20, 2025
smtx:
So True!
And when they say his father was a Governor of Lagos State, it's funny.... Cos his father was a Governor for 10 months before Abacha took over....
Baba, the Governor of Lagos State for 3 Months can make you a Billionaire then you can leverage on that afterwards.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Konquest:
grandstar:
A friend informed me that a consortium of banks lent him $1.5bn in 2002 or so, which was probably what he used to dominate the diesel industry in Nigeria.

I don't know how true. It is true though that he went bankrupt when the price of crude oil crashed to $35 per barrel in 2009 from $140 the previous year. His creditors were on his neck!

The buying and selling of refined oils is a highly leveraged one.
That first paragraph of your post is TRUE... The early 2000s was when he largely dominated the diesel (AGO) industry.

His savvy business instincts helped to propel him as well. I saw about 3 random posters right from page 1 saying incorrectly that it's when his father became the Governor of Lagos State that 'Femi Otedola became rich BUT that's totally false and a sign of pure envy emanating from their deep pain of not being rich like him. A man who was the Governor for just 10 months back in the early 1990s is being irresponsibly ascribed as the reason for him being a Forbes-listed USD billionaire? That's downright ignorance laced with envy from these posters!
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Elzazzi: 7:42am On Aug 20, 2025
Factcheck0001:
Hmmmm

Billionaire pikin...


Personally left to me I don't see any big deal about this cos even a brain dead billionaire pikin still has great advantage than the most brilliant student from the poorest home.


Stories that motivate me are stories of rags to riches not stories of billionaire pikin to billionaire.

For people who will come here to attack me, let me drop a quick one for u.

When we were young, we had a guy called Felix, he was so dull in school that he had F in all his subjects n we nicknamed him ozone layer.

As it was then, public schools were still very standard so Felix was told to repeat, all his father did was just send him to a private school n was part of PTA committee viam Felix finish secondary school.

The father being a big custom officer no waste time, Felix the ozone layer was sponsored abroad n today e get mouth pass we wey brilliant for class then.


Imagine someone who travelled abroad immediately after secondary school around 2007, imagine how much e go don make n how soft him go b by now.
Even from what Otedola said, he made it big from his wealthy Dad influences and connections. A wealthy kid already starts the race from the finish line. A poor kid will start from the deepest rock bottom.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Elzazzi: 7:44am On Aug 20, 2025
9jatriot:
This is very inspiring,
One takeaway for me is that it is good for families to have businesses that their kids get involved in. They may not inherit it but they will learn valuable lessons just being involved in it.
It’s only the few wealthy folks that got those businesses and their kids learn from. Anyway it’s good to be born into a wealthy home sha. Just reading at this Otedola piece. I wondered how it would have turned out for him if he were to be born into poor home lol
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Elzazzi: 7:48am On Aug 20, 2025
Walai:
Before the school nah scam gang appear in this thread let me remind anyone reading this that Femi Otedola's father was a billionaire. Thank you for your attention to this matter
This statement sums it all up. grin grin grin grin
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Elzazzi: 7:52am On Aug 20, 2025
chukkystar:
Yes He was more advantaged but He made more use of His time than most cos He understood the system earlier. Most Jewish Billionaires don't finish college too there's a reason for that. Plus the school system doesn't teach how to make Ur own money or manage Ur own business just teaches how to be a good employee. He did well though especially leveraging on His Father's success. Many Governors Children are very useless today, it's like their parents used their head for Juju..
grin grin grin

Many of the elites kids are just chopping their father’s money and misbehaving. Nobe really juju. Na just privileged.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by smtx(m): 7:53am On Aug 20, 2025
Lukuluku69:
Baba, the Governor of Lagos State for 3 Months can make you a Billionaire then you can leverage on that afterwards.
That means by your analysis Ambode should be like 4 times wealthier than Otedola?
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Lukuluku69(m): 7:59am On Aug 20, 2025
smtx:
That means by your analysis Ambode should be like 4 times wealthier than Otedola?
Bros, you never can put a finger to the Wealth and how Wealthy the Governors are. Otedola Father was Governor in early 90s, he has gone into business and I would expect him to be Richer but my point is that being a Governor anywhere in Nigeria makes you Rich.

Look at Yahya Bello of Kogi State, Gbenga Daniels of Ogun State, Metawalle, Ibori etc are they not Rich People by Nigerian Standard?
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Elzazzi: 8:04am On Aug 20, 2025
BabaO2:
steeve Jobs of Nigeria
How u go compare Femi to Jobs ? Lol
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by BabaO2: 8:08am On Aug 20, 2025
Elzazzi:
How u go compare Femi to Jobs ? Lol
what do you know about steeve jobs biography?
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Elzazzi: 8:08am On Aug 20, 2025
amaridigital:
You are wrong. Absolutely wrong. Is Otedola the only Billionaire pikin in Nigeria? This is the 4th richest person in Nigeria for crying out loud. Where are ojukwu's pikin, Abiola's pikin, Balewa's, Folawiyo's pikin, Babangida's pikin? Was his father the only former Governor in Nigeria? Where are the kids of our past presidents? Remember that the guy isn't in active politics oh. Have you forgotten that Bode George was once a Governor? This guy's story is a great motivation for people all over. Haba, na so e easy!! Otedola is arguably the few names ringing since the 90's in Nigeria. The guy really tries oh. Kudos to you senior man. You are an inspiration to millions. What you went through was enough to discourage you and turned you into a wayward kid or a druggie but you stood your ground and fought your battle. The psychological effect of your learning difficulties must have been difficult to bear especially among your siblings and a mom who would be so worried but you fought your demon and overcame. Today only 4 Nigerians are on the Forbes Billionaires list and you, not former Governors, not former Presidents but you, Otedola are one of them. What an inspiration you are.
Those kids of those individuals you mentioned in this your comments are still doing well today controlling businesses. Another thing. Is Otedola wealthier than Tinubu, even before Tinubu became president? Isn’t it Okowa that they said Stole over 1 trillion naira ? Lol. Anyway dem fit put these politicians for Forbes lists. Another thing is, the world richest men aren’t on Forbes. There men that control the full system of these world but choose to stay lowkey. Jacob Rothschild is such. Lol
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by razzydoo(m): 8:14am On Aug 20, 2025
I thank God and my Parents for sponsoring my education up to Postgraduate (Masters) Level.
Love you Mom and Dad. I pray you continue to live long because there's more to come.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Elzazzi: 8:15am On Aug 20, 2025
tommy589:
If you tell them unborn children from poor homes will still become billionaires in Nigeria they won't believe.There is no standard formula to wealth.Abiola and most of the old money did not come from rich homes.
Coming from a wealthy background only enhances connection to opportunities not that it guarantees direct access to wealth.
My bro. Coming from an Ultra wealthy home still guarantees access to wealth. Look at Nigeria. Show me just one of these kids that comes directly from old wealthy home living in abject poverty today. Just one
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by smtx(m): 8:53am On Aug 20, 2025
Lukuluku69:
Bros, you never can put a finger to the Wealth and how Wealthy the Governors are. Otedola Father was Governor in early 90s, he has gone into business and I would expect him to be Richer but my point is that being a Governor anywhere in Nigeria makes you Rich.

Look at Yahya Bello of Kogi State, Gbenga Daniels of Ogun State, Metawalle, Ibori etc are they not Rich People by Nigerian Standard?
The idea that his father's 10-month term as governor made him a billionaire is a false narrative, that's my point.
Re: How I Dropped Out Of High School And Didn’t Go To University – Femi Otedola by Lukuluku69(m): 9:32am On Aug 20, 2025
smtx:
The idea that his father's 10-month term as governor made him a billionaire is a false narrative, that's my point.
I never said his Father became a Billionaire when he was Governor. He was already a Billionaire before that and my point is that the Son was able to leverage on his Father's Wealth and that he was close to him too.

He was already the MD at his Father's Printing Business when he was 25.
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