Impressed by the foresight behind his plan for the nation’s tourism industry—especially the gains of the push for the legislation that eventually birthed the NTDA—the federal government reappointed Coker as NTDC boss
Why Expectations Are High About NTDA Boss Folorunsho Coker’s Next Move
Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, the Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), is attracting renewed interest.
The man who reshaped the nation’s tourism landscape for immediate and long-term benefits is nearing the end of his second term, and many are anticipating his next move.
Checks revealed that the interest in what happens to Coker—whose landmark achievements include championing an enabling legal framework for tourism to flourish, transforming the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) into the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA)—is premised on how he plans to put years of invaluable influence and experience in redefining the nation’s tourism industry to use.
“The question many are asking is, what’s next for Folarin Coker? Given his wealth of experience and deep understanding of the tourism and creative sectors, many believe he still has much to offer. Some have even suggested that his expertise could be invaluable in an advisory role, particularly as Nigeria seeks to revitalize its tourism and culture industries under the current administration,” industry watchers say.
But the administrator—widely acknowledged for his resilience, passion, and genuine desire to make a difference—is keeping sealed lips.
Coker was first appointed Director General of NTDC—now NTDA—in November 2017, following an unmatched spell as the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture between October 19, 2015, and October 19, 2016.
With his very original concept, One Lagos, he made everybody a stakeholder in the project, opening up the state’s economy like never before. He created a platform that supported both structured and unstructured creativity in the state within a year.
It was telling that Coker achieved what became the talk of the town—and an as-yet unsurpassed feat—as the head of a team that slashed the initial budget of One Lagos from ₦2 billion to ₦500 million, yet still managed to pull off a compelling initiative that many emotionally connected with, identified with, and are still yearning for years later.
Widely labeled as Mr. Ideas, Coker hit the ground running when he was named DG of NTDC on November 3, 2017, but his transformative moves faced systemic hurdles, including limited resources and bureaucratic constraints.
While battling the challenges that stifled his resourcefulness, Coker adopted a holistic approach to tackling the root causes of the problem.
He undertook an extensive campaign—including comprehensive background work—to achieve the establishment of a legal framework that removed systemic hurdles limiting tourism as a major contributor to the nation’s economy.
Impressed by the foresight behind his plan for the nation’s tourism industry—especially the gains of the push for the legislation that eventually birthed the NTDA—the federal government reappointed Coker as NTDC boss on Friday, April 30, 2021.
The legal framework allows for the much-needed public-private partnership and a more accommodating law to activate a buoyant Nigerian tourism industry.
Coker is on his way out of office at a pivotal moment—laying the proper foundation with the early-stage execution of the master plan for a better industry.
“That is another reason eyes are on him, and some are mooting the idea of getting him to act in advisory roles, based on his adept understanding of what is at stake, as well as his skill as a collaborative thinker and a lover of people,” sources say.
Additional checks affirmed that Coker’s ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life and his willingness to share knowledge and experiences have endeared him to many.
Findings revealed that Coker’s tenure as head of NTDC and his transformation into the Director General of NTDA were not without challenges and controversies—an unwanted tradition in leadership within the Nigerian public sector. The major criticism of his tenure at the federal level is that it did not fully reflect the dynamism he displayed as Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism. However, his supporters counter this claim by arguing that championing and achieving the establishment of a historic legal framework, with strong potential to make tourism a major income earner for the nation, is an achievement beyond the ordinary.
Further checks revealed that under Coker, the tourism agency, which received high marks on ethics and integrity compliance from the anti-corruption agency Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has also been intentional in developing the local industry. His strategic approach included Tour Nigeria, an ambitious initiative that reshaped the narrative about Nigeria as a major destination for tourism, hospitality, arts, and entertainment in Africa.
A significant confirmation of how far Coker has brought the nation’s tourism industry is what he shared in 2019. This is against the background that under his watch, Nigeria returned to the highest level of world tourism in 2023—after a decade—with the award of the Vice President slot of the Commission for Africa (CAF) of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Identifying the challenges he met as a new NTDC boss, he disclosed in 2019, “I met a lot of historical debts. And with limited funding, it was important that I discharge some of the historical debts, but I also kept the organization alive. Financial engineering was required to balance those historical debts that I did not create while keeping things running. And I am paying them off little by little, without fear or favor.” Read More
Credit: SocietyNow NG
