Title: A Life of Family, Sports, Friends and Business
Author: Babatunde Oremule
Year of Publication: 2026
Number of Pages: 84
Category: Autobiography
Have you ever met someone whose CV sounds like it belongs to three different people? Airline owner. Shipping businessman. Pharmaceutical manufacturer. Real estate investor. Sportsman. Importer. Golfer. Lawn tennis enthusiast. Family man. Meet Babatunde Oremule.
By the time you finish reading A Life of Family, Sports, Friends and Business, you may begin to understand why friends call him Okunrin Meta, meaning “three men in one.” Even then, the nickname feels like an understatement. Somewhere along the way, readers may start wondering if the man secretly lived three different lives.
The gentleman smiling from the cover looks calm, modest and unassuming. Nothing prepares readers for the journey that unfolds inside. Every few pages brings another surprise. Just when you think you’ve figured him out, another business venture appears and you’re left thinking, “What exactly hasn’t this man done?”
This book celebrates a generation of Nigerians who refused to stay in one lane. If an opportunity presented itself, they chased it. Aviation today, shipping tomorrow, manufacturing next. Oremule approached business the way some people approach a buffet. If it looked promising, he was willing to give it a try.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its conversational style. It never feels like a man trying to impress readers. Instead, it feels like an elderly uncle who has finally agreed to tell the stories everyone has been asking him about for years. The writing is simple, engaging and refreshingly free of unnecessary jargon, allowing the experiences to take centre stage.
Oremule openly celebrates those who helped him, acknowledges those who disappointed him and shares the setbacks that came with building businesses in Nigeria. At this stage of his life, there is little interest in polishing history. Readers get the victories, the failures and everything in between.
One minute you are reading about business deals, the next about family, friendships, sports and mentors. Then, almost out of nowhere, comes romance. Yes, romance. It turns out Babatunde Oremule is quite the lover man. Beneath the accomplished entrepreneur is a hopeless romantic who never gave up on love.
There are moments while reading when the thought quietly slips into your mind, “Some people really enjoyed Nigeria.” But before envy settles in, Oremule reminds readers that every success came with challenges, betrayals and difficult decisions. The book never allows privilege to overshadow perseverance.
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises is the role sports played in his life. Before golf became part of his identity, lawn tennis had already opened doors, built friendships and business opportunities. Parents who keep saying, “Face your books and leave that ball alone,” may want to pay special attention to these pages.
The book is also filled with practical lessons on entrepreneurship, integrity, loyalty and the value of meaningful relationships. Oremule demonstrates that lasting success is built on more than money. It is built on trust, character and the willingness to keep learning.
As the pages unfold, some readers may find themselves wishing they were one of Oremule’s children or grandchildren, if only to inherit the stories, the wisdom, the entrepreneurial spirit and, let’s be honest, perhaps a little of the wealth too. Unfortunately, that ship has already sailed. The next best thing is to read the book, learn from his experiences, get out there, put in the hard work and create a success story of your own.
The only complaint is that the book ends too soon. By the final page, it feels as though Oremule has only scratched the surface of an extraordinary life. Reading the book is one thing. Sitting in a room and listening to him tell those stories himself would be something else entirely. Young entrepreneurs, sports enthusiasts and anyone trying to build a meaningful life would have much to learn from hearing him speak about the lessons, failures and opportunities that shaped his journey. If he ever decides to host a fireside chat, there would probably be a queue at the door.
This is a small book that carries the weight of a much bigger one. It can be finished in a couple of hours, but its lessons stay with readers long after the final page.
By the end, one thing becomes clear. Babatunde Oremule did not simply build businesses. He built a life defined by curiosity, resilience, gratitude and the courage to embrace opportunity wherever he found it. If this book proves anything, it is that one life, when lived intentionally, can inspire many others.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the Publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: [email protected] Social: @tiipreeofficial
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