About a month ago, Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola made a headline-grabbing announcement: he would publish a memoir chronicling his rise from entrepreneur to a net worth exceeding $1 billion.
The book, Making It Big, has steadily built momentum in the weeks since, drawing attention not just for its content but for the way it’s being marketed.
Otedola, long recognized as one of Nigeria’s most prominent oil barons during his tenure at Forte Oil, has since pivoted seamlessly into finance and power, with stakes in Geregu Power and First Bank Holdings.
At 61, he remains one of the country’s most influential business figures. Which is why it’s striking to see him take such a hands-on, strategic approach to promoting his memoir.
Rather than relying solely on his name recognition, Otedola has employed a playbook that blends personality-driven storytelling with market-tested tactics.
From leveraging personal networks to crafting exclusivity, he has given a masterclass in what might be called billionaire marketing. Over the past four weeks, his campaign has offered a clear set of lessons, reminders that even at the top of the wealth pyramid, the fundamentals of influence, reach, and narrative still matter.
Without further ado, here are 7 lessons Femi Otedola has taught us about billionaire marketing in 2025.
Otedola showed that marketing is not just about launching a product; it’s about being present wherever attention gathers. He didn’t wait for formal press releases or scheduled promotions; instead, he seized every opportunity to keep Making It Big in the conversation.
From social media buzz to media mentions, any commentary that encouraged interest in the book was amplified. Positive tweets, posts from friends, or coverage by journalists were reposted or retweeted, turning organic enthusiasm into part of the campaign. By doing this publicly, he also created opportunities for media outlets to report on his work, further extending the book’s reach without additional effort.
