Nigerian billionaire and Chairman of First Bank Holding, Femi Otedola, has disclosed that his lack of interest in academics was the reason he never attended university.
Otedola made the revelation in his newly released 286-page memoir, launched on Monday, where he recounted his early years in school and how his passion for business overtook formal education.
He explained that despite being enrolled at the University of Lagos Staff School in 1968, he struggled with academics throughout his formative years and consistently performed poorly in examinations.
According to him, he eventually stopped schooling after completing his Lower Sixth examination and chose not to continue with his Upper Sixth, opting instead to pursue business interests.
“At the time, my father was establishing Impact Press, his printing company in Surulere. I became fascinated with the machines and decided my future would be tied to them,” Otedola wrote.
He added that while his father kept a close watch on him, his passion for entrepreneurship pushed him to abandon formal education for business pursuits.
