Hospitality maestro Folorunsho Coker is making a grand return to Nigeria’s tourism and entertainment scene with the unveiling of Casa45 — an ambitious afro-luxury destination in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The project, developed in collaboration with Ahmed Uhwubetine, the visionary founder of Club 1145, unites two iconic forces who once shaped Lagos nightlife through LaCasa and Club 1145. Their new alliance is already being described by insiders as “the fusion of superpowers” within Nigeria’s wider tourism and entertainment industry.
“Casa45 will be the largest entertainment space in the Victoria Island ecosystem, with offerings for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals and the aspirational elite,” a source close to the project revealed.
Victoria Island, long regarded as the beating heart of Nigeria’s entertainment culture, will soon host Casa45 — a global meeting point envisioned for oil and gas magnates, real estate pioneers, international jetsetters, influential diplomats, bold creatives, and the new generation of billionaires.
At its core, Casa45 promises discretion, culture, and secure luxury. Its restaurant will showcase a rotating menu of signature Nigerian dishes across breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with overnight service on weekends.
According to insiders, the official launch is planned for Detty December 2025, a festive period that Coker himself helped popularise globally.
Coker’s imprint on Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry is undeniable. As Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, he launched the One Lagos Fiesta in 2015, a citywide festival staged across all five divisions of Lagos.
Stakeholders affirm that “the popularity of One Lagos normalised large-scale, high-energy December festivities. Private promoters quickly built on that momentum, creating what is now known as Detty December.”
The success of One Lagos Fiesta led to his appointment as Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in 2017, with his tenure extended in 2021. He later became the pioneer DG of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), where he opened doors for public-private partnerships and pushed Nigerian tourism into a new era.
After stepping down in March 2025, Coker maintained a low profile until Casa45 began to surface. Now, with his partnership with Uhwubetine, industry observers believe Casa45 will set a new benchmark for luxury, hospitality, and tourism in Nigeria.
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