Is Event Management Certification Worth It in Nigeria?
An honest look at whether event management certification is worth it in Nigeria — what clients and employers value, and when a certification does and does not pay off.
"Do I really need certification?" is one of the most common questions from Nigerian event professionals. The honest answer: it depends on who your clients are and what you are trying to prove.
What employers and clients actually value
Clients with large budgets — corporates, government agencies, international brands — need to justify choosing you. They want evidence of competence, ethics and accountability. A recognised certification or accreditation answers exactly those questions, while a certificate from an unknown provider does not.
Certification versus experience versus portfolio
These are not competing goods:
- Experience proves you have done the work.
- A portfolio shows the work.
- Certification and accreditation vouch for your standards and give clients recourse.
The strongest planners have all three. If you are starting out and must choose where to invest first, get real experience and build a portfolio, then add accreditation.
How accreditation affects pricing and trust
Accreditation lets you use a professional designation, which signals a standard. It also unlocks benefits like discounts, training and job alerts, and — with a body like EMAN — a listing on the talent board where clients search for verified professionals.
Professional-body membership versus standalone course certificates
A standalone course certificate says you attended training. EMAN membership says you were admitted to a national body, subscribe to a Code of Ethics, and meet the criteria for your category. For corporate clients, that distinction matters.
When certification is not worth it
- If the provider is unknown and the certificate is unverifiable.
- If it is a substitute for practical experience you still lack.
- If it costs more than the clients it will realistically help you win.
Maximising the return
- Choose a credible, recognised provider.
- Combine training with live experience.
- Use your designation consistently in your marketing.
- Keep your membership current and renew on time.
Related reading
- EMAN membership and accreditation guide
- Event management courses and certification in Nigeria
- Professional event associations in Nigeria
Weigh it up, then join EMAN or browse the talent board.
Frequently asked questions
- Does certification help an event planner get clients in Nigeria?
- It helps with trust and differentiation, especially for corporate and government clients who need a verifiable professional. It is not a substitute for a portfolio and references.
- Is professional membership better than a course certificate?
- They serve different purposes. A course teaches you; professional membership accredits you. If you can only choose one, membership plus a strong portfolio often carries more weight with clients.