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 knew that to capture attention, you have to meet your audience where they already spend their time. He didn’t limit promotion to bookstores or traditional media; instead, he spread his presence across multiple channels, events, interviews, and even playful online content.
A standout example was his TikTok video with his daughter, Temi Otedola, where they danced while holding the book. While it might seem casual, the clip was a strategic effort to connect with younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, showing that even billionaires can adapt their approach to suit different demographics.
