Nigeria’s corporate event planning industry is fast emerging as a serious economic powerhouse, operating within a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem.
Globally, the corporate event market hit $330.9 billion in 2023 and is forecast to nearly double to $730.7 billion by 2035, growing at a 7% CAGR.
Within Nigeria, this trend plays out in a highly dynamic landscape.
Veteran and boutique event planners alike are organizing everything from investor conferences, product launches, and board retreats to annual general meetings and awards shows.
The scale of the business, combined with its complexity in managing logistics, stakeholder engagement, crisis risks, and guest experience, places top event planners at the centre of corporate brand strategy.
As the market deepens and client demands evolve, a handful of firms are emerging as the most powerful players.
In no particular order, these are some of the planners who are not only executing grand-scale events but also reshaping what premium corporate gatherings look like in Nigeria.
Founded in 2002, Eventful Nigeria Limited has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading event planning, venue management, and consulting companies, originally established to meet the needs of corporate clients.
The company was founded by Yewande Zaccheaus, a lawyer and former banker with more than 18 years of corporate and legal experience. A graduate of the University of Lagos with an LL.M. from Cambridge University, Zaccheaus previously served as Company Secretary and Legal Adviser at Ecobank Nigeria before resigning at the Deputy General Manager level to establish Eventful.
- She is the convener of The Food Souk, a world-class food and beverage fair, The Beauty Souk, a niche fair for beauty enthusiasts, The Fashion Souk, a fashion fair showcasing the value chain of the Nigerian fashion business and The Street Souk, a fair for millennials featuring urban street wear. These fairs have become annual landmark events on the Lagos social calendar.
- She received the prestigious International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Award and served as a Non-Executive Director at Wema Bank. A founding trustee and past chairperson of WIMBIZ, she is also the author of the four-part inspirational book series God’s Waiting Room. Zaccheaus retired from executive leadership in 2021.
The firm’s early success with high-profile corporate events soon attracted requests from private individuals seeking the same level of professionalism for social occasions. This led to the creation of Eventful Corporates and Eventful Celebrations, two business arms designed to address the distinct needs of its varied clientele.
Eventful operates with a commitment to high standards, engaging only reputable service providers with proven expertise and strong ethical records. Its long-standing relationships within the industry enable the company to deliver value, quality, and consistency across every project.
Cool to know but zero currency added to the economy of enjoyment people in Africa.