SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION: BUILDING THE MARKET FOR EXECUTIVE COACHING IN NIGERIA

The executive coaching market in Nigeria is described as nascent and significantly underdeveloped, with a critical shortage of accredited professionals capable of serving senior financial leaders. While there is high latent demand among HR directors, effective demand remains low due to a cultural belief in the 'infallible leader' and a lack of understanding regarding the business value of coaching. The report recommends strengthening local accreditation routes through institutions like Lagos Business School and stimulating demand by creating local case studies and exposing high-profile financial sector leaders to coaching interventions.

• The executive coaching market in Nigeria is in a nascent stage, with an estimated supply of only 10 to 20 credible, experienced executive coaches available for senior leadership in the financial industry.
• There is a significant lack of locally available coach training in Nigeria that provides a pathway to internationally recognized accreditation.
• Demand for executive coaching is hindered by a cultural perception that senior leaders should be self-sufficient and possess all the answers, which may preclude them from admitting vulnerabilities.
• A lack of transparent information regarding the availability of coaches, their specific skills, and the measurable impact of coaching on business results is a primary barrier to market growth.
• The Nigerian financial sector is highly consolidated compared to Kenya, with 21 registered commercial banks serving a population of over 174 million, whereas Kenya has 43 banks for a population of 44 million.
• There is a perceived preference among Nigerian CEOs for foreign coaches, often linked to the value placed on international exposure.
• The market is characterized by a lack of differentiation between various coaching types, with many practitioners offering a mix of life, spiritual, and executive coaching.
• To meet 100% demand from the executive teams of 21 commercial banks and seven top microfinance banks, the market would require approximately 80 qualified professional executive coaches.
• The establishment of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Nigeria Chapter in May 2015 is viewed as a critical step toward organizing the industry and setting professional standards.

APA

FSD Africa (2016). SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION: BUILDING THE MARKET FOR EXECUTIVE COACHING IN NIGERIA. https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16-06-16-Building-the-Market-for-Executive-Coaching-in-Nigeria.pdf

Chicago

FSD Africa. SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION: BUILDING THE MARKET FOR EXECUTIVE COACHING IN NIGERIA. 2016. https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16-06-16-Building-the-Market-for-Executive-Coaching-in-Nigeria.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=FSD Africa |title=SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION: BUILDING THE MARKET FOR EXECUTIVE COACHING IN NIGERIA |date=2016 |url=https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16-06-16-Building-the-Market-for-Executive-Coaching-in-Nigeria.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{fsdafrica2016supporting, author = {{FSD Africa}}, title = {{SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION: BUILDING THE MARKET FOR EXECUTIVE COACHING IN NIGERIA}}, institution = {FSD Africa}, year = {2016}, url = {https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16-06-16-Building-the-Market-for-Executive-Coaching-in-Nigeria.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }