How to Start an Event Planning Business in Nigeria (CAC, Costs and Pricing)
How to start an event planning business in Nigeria — niche, CAC registration, start-up costs in Naira, pricing models, branding and your first clients.
Turning a talent for events into a business takes more than planning skill — it takes pricing discipline, a brand and paying clients. Here is how to start an event planning business in Nigeria.
1. Validate your niche
Pick a niche where you can be known. Weddings, corporate events, conferences, festivals or a specific city. A focused offer is easier to market and price than "we do all events".
2. Register with the CAC
Register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) — as a business name or a limited company. Registration lets you open a business account, sign contracts in your company name and win corporate clients who cannot pay a personal account. Budget for registration and, if needed, a solicitor.
3. Start-up costs and equipment
A realistic lean budget covers:
- Registration and legal.
- Branding: logo, website, social profiles.
- A laptop, phone and simple accounting tools.
- Basic event kit (extensions, signage, a toolkit).
- Initial marketing and portfolio shoots.
A lean start can run from a few hundred thousand Naira; a full agency with staff, office and stock costs considerably more.
4. Pricing: flat fee versus percentage
Two common models:
- Flat management fee for a defined scope.
- Percentage of budget, commonly 10–20%.
Choose based on how much work you are doing relative to the budget, and never quote below the cost of doing the job properly.
5. Branding, portfolio and first clients
- Build a brand clients trust: consistency, real photos, clear offer.
- Create a portfolio even from small or pro-bono events.
- Get your first clients from your network, referrals and local businesses.
- Ask for testimonials and always deliver on time.
6. Scaling: hiring, accreditation and partnerships
As you grow, add a team, formalise processes and get accredited. Membership of a professional body strengthens your credibility with corporate buyers and lists you on the talent board. See corporate membership for event companies.
Related reading
- How to become an event planner in Nigeria
- Event planner salary in Nigeria
- How to become a wedding planner in Nigeria
Get accredited through EMAN membership and train at EMAN Academy.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register an event planning business in Nigeria?
- If you want to invoice corporates, open a business account and sign contracts in a company name, you should register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Sole proprietorships and limited companies are both common.
- How much does it cost to start an event planning business in Nigeria?
- Between equipment, registration, branding and initial marketing, a lean start up can run from a few hundred thousand Naira, while a full agency setup costs considerably more.