Nigerian billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has opened up about his relationship with God, revealing four major moments in his life when he turned to divine intervention.
Otedola, while reflecting on some of the defining moments of his personal and business journey, said his conversations with God have largely come at critical points when he needed help.
According to the businessman, the first occasion was when he persuaded his father to contest the Lagos State governorship election.
He said the second came in 2008, when he went bankrupt, while the third occurred in 2017 when he visited Nigeria with fellow billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote.
Otedola said, “I’ve spoken to God on four occasion.I will tell you the four occasions. First, when I lured my father to run for governor of Lagos state.
“The second one was when I went bankrupt in 2008. The third one was when I came here with Aliko Dangote in 2017.
“In 2007, I teamed with Aliko and we acquired Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries. Unfortunately, completely visonless people scuffed that.”
Reflecting on his relationship with Dangote, Otedola described his billionaire friend as deeply religious, noting that Dangote regularly observes his prayers.
He said his own approach to religion differs significantly, admitting that he does not pray as frequently as Dangote does.
“Of course, Aliko is probably one of the most religious I’ve come across. He prays five times a day. I only talk to God when I need a favour,” Otedola said.
Otedola’s remarks offer a glimpse into some of the major turning points in his life, from his father’s political ambition and his own financial crisis to his business dealings with Dangote.
His reference to the acquisition of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries also brought attention to an earlier chapter in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, when he and Dangote were involved in efforts to acquire the facilities.
The businessman’s candid admission about his prayer life, meanwhile, has drawn attention to the contrasting religious habits he shares with Dangote, despite their longstanding relationship and business association.
