Society
Why Folorunsho Coker Has Chosen A Low Profile After NTDA Exit
And sources say this is deservedly so.
Since his exit from office as the pioneer Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) in March 2025, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker has maintained a low profile.
And sources say this is deservedly so.
Insiders explain that his departure, which marked the end of his eight-year stint as the head of the agency overseeing Nigeria’s tourism industry, is his first break after 26 years in public service.
“He definitely needs the time away to take stock of the journey so far, review things, and take a definite stand on what he wants to do next. Friends say that’s exactly what he is doing,” according to those in the know.
Coker, who holds the title Baba Eto of Yorubaland, was first appointed as Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in 2017. His tenure was extended in April 2021 in recognition of his outstanding performance.
His diary of achievements includes the launch of the Tour Nigeria initiative in 2017; overseeing the transition from NTDC to the globally aligned NTDA in 2021; and receiving recognition for his inclusive tourism promotion strategy from Southeast traditional rulers, who conferred on him the chieftaincy title Enyi Ndi Igbo (Friend of the Igbo Race) in November 2022.
The Tourism Hackathon, another innovation of the Coker administration launched in October 2022, was designed to engage young tech talents in developing digital solutions for tourism growth and sustainability.
Before his federal appointment, the Baba Eto served in various capacities in Lagos State, starting out as Personal Assistant and later Deputy Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu when he was Governor of Lagos.
The high point of Coker’s service in the Lagos State Government was the creation of the One Lagos Festival (OLF) in 2015, during his tenure as Commissioner for Tourism and Culture under former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
The success of OLF laid the foundation for the annual Detty December boom that continues to boost Nigeria’s economy.
