If you’ve ever wondered whether you could turn a knack for organizing into a lucrative and well-respected career, the answer is a resounding yes. Nigeria’s corporate event planning industry is booming, and there’s never been a better time to step into this dynamic field.
An Outlook
Nigeria’s corporate event planning industry is exploding in tandem with the global corporate event market. Globally, the market reached $330.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to nearly double to $730.7 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 7%. Within Nigeria, this trend translates into a highly dynamic, multi-billion-naira ecosystem that’s reshaping how businesses communicate, celebrate and strategize.
From multinational corporations hosting annual general meetings to banks coordinating investor conferences, from tech giants launching products to international embassies organizing diplomatic receptions, the demand for professional event planning services has never been higher. As Ola Toyin, founder of Zohar Events and the creative force behind the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards, puts it: corporate entities that attempt to plan their own events risk brand damage and chaos. The industry requires structure, discipline and legacy-driven vision.
This isn’t only about the glitz and glamour. Planning a successful event in Nigeria starts weeks or months ahead, and involves stakeholder management, crisis control, meticulous logistics, vendor coordination and guest experience design. It’s demanding work that sometimes means working back-to-back through December or even funding gaps from your own pocket. But for those who thrive on challenge and creativity, it’s incredibly rewarding.
Nigeria’s Biggest Corporate Event Planners
Understanding who’s leading the industry gives you valuable insight into what excellence looks like and the standards you’ll be aiming for. Nigeria’s corporate event planning scene is driven by visionary entrepreneurs who’ve built influential brands through dedication, creativity, and strategic thinking.
Ugochi Nwachukwu of Enchanted Events stands at the forefront as an internationally certified designer and event planner who has worked with prestigious clients including Heirs Holdings, NIMC, the British High Commission, the Netherlands Royal Embassy, UNDP, and UBA. Her commitment to global training and meticulous standards has made Enchanted Events a preferred partner for high-profile institutions.
Tayo Olugbemi leads Innate Arts & Media, a company that has delivered transformative experiences for nearly two decades, working with major clients like Kenya Airways, Ecobank, USAID, Air France, and UN Women. His firm has handled massive national events including the 2023 Presidential Inauguration and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group conferences, demonstrating the capacity for large-scale, complex productions.
Eunice Adeyemi, Managing Partner at Q21 Solutions, brings over 25 years of cross-industry experience to her work with leading brands like MultiChoice, SAP, Microsoft, Oracle, Heineken, and Access Bank. Her strategic understanding of design and logistics has positioned Q21 as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished corporate event production firms.
Other influential figures include Funke Bucknor-Obruthe of Zapphaire Events, who has delivered over 1,000 events across multiple countries since 2002; Kunmi Ariyo of Mirus Events, recognized among the 60 Most Influential Event Professionals in 2024 for his data-driven approach with clients like Google, YouTube, and Spotify; and Dr. Ezekiel Adamu of Balmoral Group, whose company has executed over 5,000 events for top-tier clients including Pepsi, Heineken, Zenith Bank, and MTN.
Your Roadmap to Breaking Into Corporate Event Planning
Start by Understanding the Industry and Your Vision
Before diving in, you should research the corporate event planning landscape in Nigeria. Are you drawn to internal corporate events like team-building activities and training sessions, or do high-profile brand activations and product launches excite you more? Do you envision yourself working with an established agency, building an in-house corporate team, or launching your own event planning business? These questions will help you articulate and clarify your goals early on. It will help shape your career trajectory and informs every decision you make along the way.
Build Your Educational Foundation
While the field doesn’t require a specific degree, many successful Nigerian event planners have backgrounds in hospitality management, business administration, marketing, communications or public relations. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree can give you a strong foundation in business, logistics, and communication. These are skills that are important in event planning. Alternatively, specialized event planning programs or certificates can help you quickly gain targeted expertise. You should also consider combining your formal education with hands-on learning to create a well-rounded skill set.
Earn Industry Certifications
Certifications show that you are a committed professional and can significantly boost your credibility with potential clients and employers. Consider pursuing certifications like the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certification in Exhibition Management (CEM), International Corporate Event Planning Professional (ICPP), or Digital Event Strategist Certification for virtual and hybrid events. These credentials show that you’re serious about your craft and position you for growth within the industry.
Gain Real-World Experience Without a Formal Job
To be sure, you don’t need a corporate position to start building your event planning portfolio. Volunteer with nonprofits, schools, community centres, or religious organizations to plan events. These experiences are invaluable when applying for future roles. Consider assisting established planners as an intern or assistant, where you’ll gain hands-on experience managing logistics, dealing with vendors, and handling pressure. Even organizing personal events for friends, family, or your local network can showcase your talent. Document everything you do to build a compelling portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities.
Explore Different Entry Points and Career Paths
Corporate event planning offers diverse opportunities. You might start in administrative or coordination positions involving scheduling, booking travel, and supporting events. Look for titles like Event Assistant, Event Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator, or Meeting Planner. Joining an agency allows you to work with various clients and industries, providing excellent networking opportunities. Internal corporate roles offer deeper involvement with a single brand. If you’re entrepreneurial, freelancing or launching your own event planning business offers flexibility and creative freedom, though it requires strong business development, marketing, and networking skills.
Develop Must-Have Skills for Success
Successful event planning requires that you have both soft and hard skills. Focus on developing strong communication and interpersonal abilities, as you’ll constantly work with clients, vendors, and attendees, so clarity and empathy are essential. Master organization and multitasking, as you’ll juggle budgets, timelines, and vendor deadlines daily. Cultivate problem-solving skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure when resolving last-minute challenges. Bring creativity to designing experiences that reflect brand identities and goals. Above all, maintain professionalism in everything from your attire to your tone to your follow-through, as corporate events demand polish.
Build Your Industry Network and Knowledge Base
In Nigeria’s tight-knit event planning community, relationships matter tremendously. Attend networking events, join industry associations, and connect with other event professionals. Building these connections can lead to new clients, job opportunities, and valuable resources. Consider joining professional organizations, attending trade shows, and taking courses or pursuing certifications regularly. Follow event planning leaders and publications on social media to stay current with industry trends, especially as technology, virtual formats, and attendee expectations continue evolving.
It’s Challenging But Rewarding
Corporate event planning in Nigeria is not for the faint of heart. You’ll work long hours, manage demanding clients, juggle competing priorities, and sometimes face financial pressures. December might mean back-to-back events with little time for rest. Crisis management becomes second nature as you learn to handle everything from vendor no-shows to technical failures to last-minute guest list changes.
But here’s what makes it worth it: the incredible satisfaction of pulling off an unforgettable experience. The moment when a client sees their vision come to life exactly as they imagined, or even better. The thrill of watching hundreds or thousands of people enjoy an event you orchestrated from scratch. The creative freedom to design environments that inspire, engage, and transform. The business strategy involved in aligning every decision with corporate objectives and measuring real ROI.
This is a career where your work is visible, tangible, and memorable. You get to create experiences that advance business goals, strengthen brands and bring people together. Whether you’re organizing a product launch that generates millions in media coverage, an annual general meeting that shapes corporate strategy, or a team-building retreat that transforms company culture, your impact is real and measurable.
