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“The lessons, setbacks, and triumphs that shaped my path are almost ready for you.”
That was how billionaire businessman Femi Otedola introduced Making It Big, his upcoming memoir, in a tweet posted on July 17. Scheduled for release on August 18, the book promises a direct look into his business journey, including the moments of doubt and the principles that kept him going.
Femi Otedola is not the first Nigerian business owner to document his experience. Over the years, several others have published books that outline how they built their ventures, navigated challenges, and made key decisions.
Here are 6 Nigerian business owners who have written books sharing what they have learnt:
Frank Nneji, Founder and CEO of Associated Bus Company (ABC) Transport Plc
Frank Nneji, founder of ABC Transport Plc,the first Nigerian transport company to go public, shares his business journey in Who Says You Can’t?. The book reflects on key lessons from building one of West Africa’s leading transport brands.
Nneji started out in 1983 with Rapido Ventures, later launching ABC Transport in 1991 with a loan and five leased buses. His ventures have since grown to include Rapido Foods, Transit Support Services, and Mayfair Suites, making him a major employer in Imo State and a notable voice in Nigeria’s transport and tourism sectors.
Akinola Alabi, Founder NairaBET
In 2021, entrepreneur and lawmaker Akin Alabi released How To Sell To Nigerians, a book grounded in his own business journey. Best known for founding NairaBET and serving in the House of Representatives, Alabi also owns Lekki United FC, a football club based in Lagos. He uses the book to unpack the realities of selling in Nigeria’s unique consumer landscape. Blending lessons from the street and the boardroom, the book examines what drives local buying decisions and how entrepreneurs can adapt their strategies to succeed.
Ibukun Awosika, Founder, The Chair Centre Group
Ibukun Awosika is a leading Nigerian entrepreneur and the founder of The Chair Centre Group, a top furniture manufacturing company. In her book The ‘Girls’ in the BoardRoom, she highlights the journeys of women who have broken barriers to attain leadership roles—offering both inspiration and practical tools for others to rise.
Awosika became the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, marking a historic shift in corporate leadership. She holds a Chemistry degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and has completed executive programmes at Lagos Business School, IESE (Spain), Wharton, and CEIBS. Outside business, she co-founded WIMBIZ and runs the Christian Missionary Fund, supporting missionaries across Nigeria. In 2008, she became the first Nigerian to win the IWEC award, nominated by the U.S. Department of State.
Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Founder and CEO of SLOT
Nnamdi Ezeigbo is the founder of SLOT Systems and a co-creator of Tecno Mobile and Infinix. What began as a computer repair side hustle grew into one of Nigeria’s most recognisable tech retail brands, with over 70 stores across the country. He played a key role in shaping the mobile phone market, introducing affordable smartphones that reached millions. In Entrepreneurship The Slot Way: Succeeding in a Tough Business Environment, Ezeigbo draws from personal experience to show what it takes to build a lasting business in Nigeria’s tough operating environment. The book explores his early struggles, business philosophy, and why creating value must come before profit.
Jim Ovia, Founder Zenith Bank
Jim Ovia, founder and chairman of Zenith Bank, shares the story behind one of Africa’s most successful banks in Africa, Rise and Shine. Often called the “Godfather of Banking” by Forbes Africa, Ovia started Zenith in 1990 with $4 million. Through political and economic upheaval, he built it into a pan-African powerhouse with over $16 billion in assets and international operations in the UK, China, Ghana, and beyond. The book blends memoir with strategy, offering insight into the courage, discipline, and innovation that drove his rise.
Olumide Soyombo, Co-founder of Bluechip Technologies and Founder of Voltron Capital
Olumide Soyombo has spent the last decade shaping Africa’s tech startup scene, not just as a founder, but as one of its most active early-stage investors. From co-founding Bluechip Technologies in 2008 to launching Voltron Capital in 2021, his work has backed over 60 startups including Paystack, PiggyVest, Mono, and TeamApt.
In Vantage, his business memoir, Soyombo shares personal stories, pivotal moments, and the philosophies behind his investment journey. The book centres on long-term thinking, stewardship, and the discipline it takes to build lasting impact.
