Foremost Business Mogul Femi Otedola’s Lasting Legacy

It is an irrefutable fact that energy wizard and one of the leading entrepreneurs in the African continent, Femi Otedola, would hold and acquire special pages and places if anyone decides to pen the history of Africa’s businesses and economy.

Very early in life, he became the envy of some of his friends; this is simply because he got his business tracks right long before some of them were still tied to their mothers’ aprons strings. When he floated his business, even at that young age, he resolved to pursue his dream on the global stage. To some naysayers, it was considered an impossible task, but he was determined to pursue his ambition of ruling the world with unwavering doggedness.

But only a few knew that he was a man who would never allow small minds to convince him that his dreams were too big. Instead, he followed the words of Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the 26th President of the United States, who said, “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”

He pursued his vision and dream with zest and adroitness, and before long he hit the global stage where he continues to rub shoulders with other world-class and renowned business moguls.

Many would recollect how his Zenon Petroleum in no time became a household name, supplying the fuel used to power generating sets of most Nigerian industries and manufacturing firms. While some cynics thought the early success was a fluke or a flash in the pan, he further showcased his brilliance after he bought over and turned around the moribund African Petroleum (AP) which he rechristened Forte Oil. Blessed with the proverbial magic wand, he successfully rejigged the company from its former declining state to a flourishing one that became a brand to beat in the sector.

Having conquered the oil sector, a restless soul that he is, he left the sector with his head high. His fans, however, expressed grave concern and doubts when it was announced that he was quitting the oil sector five years ago. 

However, those who know him too well insisted that Otedola must have thought it out, and events later revealed that he is, indeed, a guru in the field. Today, his Geregu is among the leading power plants in the nation’s power sector. He has steadfastly been redefining the industry since he came on board.

Unlike some of his counterparts in the business climate who pump their monies into bizarre projects, Otedola cares about leaving lasting legacies. He is keen on rescuing the nation from its electricity hitch. In fact, his zest has been so infectious that he has committed billions of naira to the project.

Recently, his energy firm agreed with Germany-based energy expert Siemens Energy AG to increase Geregu current power-generating capacity to 1,200.