Event planning courses open to Nigerians range from free online courses to in-person programmes in Lagos at around ₦200,000 to ₦300,000. We found nine with a course page we could load, and only two Lagos providers publish current naira prices on their own sites. The table below lists each course with its format, length, price and what it covers, all read from the provider's page on 12 October 2026. No course is required to work as a planner in Nigeria; pick one for the specific gap you want to close.
The courses, side by side
| Course | Format | Price (read 12 Oct 2026) | Covers | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indigocrystal Concept, Certified Event Planning and Management Course | In person in Yaba, Lagos, or online; 4 weeks plus 3 months of mentoring and internships | In person ₦200,000 (₦190,000 discounted); online ₦150,000 (₦120,000 discounted) | Basics, budgets and floor plans, proposals and contracts, theme and styling, running the event, business operations | Yes, after project work and an exam |
| Indigocrystal Concept, Event Decoration and Styling Training | In person in Yaba, Lagos, or online | In person ₦300,000 (₦280,000 discounted); online ₦200,000 (₦150,000 discounted) | Design, colour, lighting, floral and non-floral decor, venue, vendors, pricing, clients | Yes, after an exam |
| Phionna Events Academy, Wedding/Event Planning Course (Advanced) | In person or online; 6 classes over up to 2 weeks, then an internship | ₦300,000 | The planning process and the business of events: budgets, vendors, clients | Yes |
| Ritetrac Consulting, 15 Practical Techniques to Become a Profitable Event Planner (masterclass on Selar) | Online; 3 weeks of audio, short videos and monthly group calls | ₦14,990 | Becoming a planner, branding and services, marketing and selling | Yes, after assignments |
| FATE Foundation (MSMEHub), Starting an Event Planning Business in Nigeria | Online, self-paced, 17 lessons, taught by Funke Bucknor-Obruthe | Free | Before you start, budgeting, market research, choosing a niche, common industry problems | Not stated |
| Alison, Diploma in Event Planning and Management | Online, 6 to 10 hours | Free to study; the certificate is optional and paid | Event types, goals, pricing, sponsorship, logistics, guest experience, contracts, evaluation | Optional, paid |
| Coursera, Introduction to Events Management | Online, about 2 hours | Free to audit; certificate paid, financial aid available | Planning stages, venues, logistics, marketing, budgets, vendors | Paid |
| Coursera (EDUCBA), Event Planning, Marketing and Execution Specialization | Online, 4 courses, about 37 hours | No price published; financial aid available | Event marketing, planning frameworks, pricing, risk, staffing, evaluation | Yes |
| Ife'ctiv Touch Academy, The Pro Event Usher | Online | ₦5,000 | Ushering basics, presentation and etiquette, how ushers are paid | On request |
Prices change. Phionna's registration form still referred to a 2025 class date when we read it, and Indigocrystal's page showed an expired early-bird price that we left out. Confirm the price and the next start date with the provider before you pay.
Free options worth starting with
If you have not run an event yet, start free. The FATE Foundation course is Nigerian, taught by Funke Bucknor-Obruthe of Zapphaire Events, and covers the business side: budgeting, market research and choosing a niche. Alison and Coursera cover the general planning stages and give you the vocabulary, with a paid certificate only if you want one.
When a paid course makes sense
A paid in-person course is worth it when you want three things a video cannot give: feedback on your own proposals and budgets, a mentor you can call, and internships on real events. Indigocrystal's planning course includes three months of mentoring and internships after the four weeks of class; Phionna's includes an internship. Ask any provider how many live events you will work on, and in what role, before you pay.
For decor specifically, look for pricing and client management in the syllabus, not only design. Pricing is the part of a decor business that a portfolio does not teach.
What no course covers well
Courses teach the planning process. Few of them spend much time on the parts that eat a working planner's week: guest lists arriving from five relatives on WhatsApp, chasing RSVPs, the gate on the day, and getting the balance paid before the event. We cover those in the guest list that would not stop growing, the Nigerian RSVP problem and get paid like a professional. If you are starting out, how to start an event planning business in Nigeria covers registration and pricing.
On Comtev, which is free to run, an AI assistant collects the guest list on WhatsApp, invitations and QR access passes go out in one tap, and you invoice clients in naira and get paid through Paystack. See how it works.
FAQs
How much is an event planning course in Nigeria?
From free online courses (FATE Foundation, Alison, Coursera to audit) to about ₦120,000 to ₦300,000 for paid online and in-person courses in Lagos, based on prices read from providers' pages on 12 October 2026.
Is there a free event planning course in Nigeria?
Yes. The FATE Foundation's "Starting an Event Planning Business in Nigeria" on MSMEHub is free and self-paced. Alison and Coursera also have free general courses, with paid certificates.
Do I need a certificate to be an event planner in Nigeria?
No. There is no licence or required qualification. Clients care more about your portfolio and references; a course helps you fill skill gaps.
Which event planning school is in Lagos?
Indigocrystal Concept runs in-person planning and decoration courses in Yaba, Lagos, and also offers them online. Phionna Events Academy offers in-person or online classes. Check the next start dates on their pages.
How long does it take to learn event planning?
Short online courses take 2 to 10 hours. Indigocrystal's planning course is four weeks of classes plus three months of mentoring. Working on real events, even as an assistant, teaches what a course cannot.