“LET US HOLD FAST THE PROFESSION of OUR FAITH without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;).” – Hebrews 10:23 King James Version.
When life throws you a loss, your mindset determines whether you’ll break down or break through. Few stories illustrate this better than that of Femi Otedola — the Nigerian billionaire entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author of Forbes best-seller Making It Big.
Before he became a symbol of wealth and resilience, Femi faced a scary storm that many would have given up. But he chose to turn his LOSS into a PLUS — and that decision changed everything.
When A Business Empire Collapsed
In the early 2000s, Femi Otedola was at the top of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. His company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, controlled the market, supplying fuel to most major players.
Then came the crash. A global oil crisis and financial downturn sent shockwaves through his empire. His debt rose to over $1.2 billion. His assets were frozen. His name headlined major national newspapers. Overnight, the billionaire lost nearly everything.
To give you some context of his challenge, Adolf Merckle, the German billionaire, tragically died by suicide in January 2009 due to the economic downturn of 2008. His family reported that he was “broken” by the financial crisis, which caused distress to his businesses and a sense of helplessness. His death was a result of the combined pressures of the financial crisis and the uncertainty of the economic situation.
But rather than Femi Otedola crumble under pressure, he made a choice: “I could sit and wallow in self-pity, or I could stand and rebuild with wisdom.”
FAITH THAT OVERCOMES THE STORMS
When others saw loss, Femi saw a lesson. When others saw failure, he saw faith’s training ground. He once said, “It was not money that brought me back; it was my mindset.” It wasn`t just an ordinary mindset but a mindset renewed by God`s Word as a person of faith.
Like Job in the Bible, who lost everything but refused to curse God, Femi believed that his setback was a setup for a comeback. Proverbs 24:16 NIV says, “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Femi decided that failure wasn’t final. He repaid his debts honorably, liquidated assets strategically, and began again with humility — guided not by pride, but by purpose.
Rebuilding on the Rock
While others chased shortcuts, Femi returned to the basics — values, vision, and virtue. He learned what the Lord Jesus meant when He said: “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24 NIV). He diversified his investments, studied changing markets, and leaned on God’s wisdom. In time, he bought Geregu Power Plc, a power generation company that later became publicly listed — marking one of the most successful comebacks in African business history.
His story echoes Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
The LOSS That Became a PLUS!
Otedola’s journey of resilient faith proves that resilience doesn’t just enable us to overcome challenges, it also empowers us to maximize opportunities. Before the fall, he was known for success. After the rise, he became known for his significance.
He discovered that true wealth is not the number of cars in your garage or the digits in your bank account — it’s the character in your heart and the faith in your soul. His new book, Making It Big, reveals that greatness isn’t about having it all — it’s about rising again when it all falls apart.
From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Like Les Brown, Femi Otedola proves that faith works in every culture, language, and economy. Your story might not include billions or boardrooms, but the same God who turned his loss into a plus can turn your setback into your setup.
As Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Femi didn’t give up — and neither should you.
Your LOSS Can Become Your PLUS
When your dream collapses, don’t bury it — rebuild it. When your resources dry up, draw from your true Source, the true God (Philippians 4:19 and James 1:17). When your plans fail, lean on God’s purpose. HOLD FAST TO YOU CONFESSION OF YOUR FAITH ROOTED IN THE WORD OF GOD! (To be continued next week).
