My father chose business over school

Temi Otedola has offered a rare glimpse into the life of her billionaire father, Femi Otedola, highlighting his unconventional path to success during an interview with the BBC.

Reflecting on his decision to forgo traditional education, Temi explained that her father had always been open about his choice.

“And he’s had articles and, you know, news clippings written about him his entire life. So it was really finally time for the public to hear it from his own mouth and through his own words,”* she said.

According to her, Femi Otedola made a bold decision early in life.

“He revealed and he wasn’t shy to talk about the fact that he decided not to go to school. He decided to step back from that to do business, which was what, you know, he wanted to do,” Temi revealed.

When asked if he ever returned to complete his education, Temi admitted that her father charted his own unique path.

“My father is one of those people that, you know, school is great for so many things, you know, me and my sisters all did our master’s degrees.

“But for my father, I think he’s one of those people where life and experience is his school,” she noted.

She was quick to emphasize that this did not mean he undermined the value of education.

“Not that the system does not aid everybody’s intelligence or everybody’s ability to learn,” Temi explained, stressing that her father’s success demonstrates how unconventional routes can still produce extraordinary outcomes.