3 Reasons Why Femi Otedola is a Billionaire
3 Reasons Why Femi Otedola is a Billionaire Timeless lessons on money, adaptability, and legacy from Femi Otedola himself.
This week I saw something I never thought I’ll see…
Femi Otedola, billionaire businessman, doing TikTok dances to promote his new book.
Both inspiring and humbling. Because if Otedola can let loose, laugh at himself, and adapt to new trends, then what excuse do the rest of us have for being rigid?
But that wasn’t even the biggest takeaway.
The moment that stuck with me was a quote of his:
“Money that you don’t spend is not yours. Life is for living.”
He said this during a heartfelt speech at his daughter Temi’s wedding in Iceland on August 8th.
At first, I thought, “Well, easy to say when you’re a billionaire!” After all, he was sharing this while telling the story of how he bought not one but TWO houses in Dubai, one for his daughter’s engagement, and another for the after-party.
It sounded like a flex. But the more I sat with it (took me 48 hours to digest, honestly), the more I realized how profound it was.
And it revealed a few key reasons why Femi Otedola is, well… Otedola. Here’s what I learned:
1. He sees money as a tool, not a trophy
For a lot of people, money is something to hoard. To stash away. To guard like Gollum with his “precious.”
But Otedola doesn’t think like that. He used his wealth to create an unforgettable moment for his daughter and their family. Two homes in Dubai weren’t just real estate, they were tools for celebration, joy, and legacy.
Lesson for us: money isn’t just for keeping; it’s for living.
2. He embraces adaptability
When you think “billionaire oil and power magnate,” TikTok dancing probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.
Yet there he was, grooving on TikTok to promote his book. 😅
The lesson? Adaptability keeps you relevant.
Even if you’re worth billions, you’re not “too big” to learn new tricks. If Otedola can embrace new platforms and audiences, so can we.
3. He invests in memories, not just assets
This is where it gets deeper.
Those two Dubai homes? Yes, they’re houses. But to Otedola, they weren’t about property portfolios. They were about celebrating his daughter’s wedding in a once-in-a-lifetime way.
It wasn’t a business move, it was a legacy move.
Lesson for us: the value of money isn’t in the things it buys, but in the memories it creates.
4. He understands patience + timing (Bonus Lesson)
Here’s a twist in the story.
Before he ever bought those two Dubai homes, his realtor had shown him over 70 properties in the city. He didn’t buy a single one.
Why? The moment wasn’t right.
And then, when the right occasion came, boom! He bought two in quick succession, all to celebrate his daughter’s wedding.
The billionaire mindset isn’t about buying everything you can. It’s about discernment. Waiting. Striking when it truly matters.
The Quote That Ties It All Together
“Money that you don’t spend is not yours. Life is for living.” – Femi Otedola (Speech at Temi’s wedding, Iceland, August 8th)
And now it makes sense.
It’s not about recklessly spending. It’s about remembering that money is only powerful when it flows into life, legacy, and meaning.
Your Turn
Now, let’s be honest…many of us won’t be buying two homes in Dubai anytime soon 😅.
But the bigger question is this:
Are you living rigidly, or are you truly living?
And if you want to learn more of these lessons straight from the man himself, make sure you check out his new book:
Making It Big – Lessons from a Life in Business.
https://www.amazon.com/Making-Big-Lessons-Life-Business/dp/9786977483
https://www.makingitbigbook.com/