Event Planning Agreement (Nigeria)

An Event Planning Agreement in Nigeria governs the relationship between the parties by fixing what each must do.

Event planning agreements in Nigeria are governed by the general law of contract as applied by Nigerian courts, including the Lagos State High Court, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, and state Magistrates' Courts across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The agreement must satisfy the standard requirements for an enforceable Nigerian contract: offer and acceptance, consideration (the planner's fee), intention to create legal relations, and capacity of both parties. Section 11 of the Limitation Act Cap L16 LFN 2004 establishes the six-year limitation period for breach of contract claims before the Lagos State High Court and other state High Courts.

VAT at 7.5% under the Value Added Tax Act Cap V1 LFN 2004 (as amended by the Finance Act 2020) applies to event planning services where the planner's annual turnover exceeds the NGN 25 million registration threshold administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Section 15 of the Value Added Tax Act Cap V1 LFN 2004 requires VAT-registered event planners to remit collected VAT to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) monthly. Invoices must reflect the planner's FIRS Tax Identification Number (TIN). Section 33 of the Companies Income Tax Act Cap C21 LFN 2004 requires companies to file annual returns with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Nigeria's event industry — particularly in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, where large corporate and social events are frequent — has grown significantly, with professional event planners registered with the Association of Professional Party Planners and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPEM). Section 38 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA 2020) governs the registration of event planning companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (CAC). A well-drafted agreement protects the planner's fees and reputation while giving clients confidence in the agreed deliverables and remedies for underperformance. Section 254C of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 vests the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) with jurisdiction over employment disputes arising from contracts of service between the event planner and its staff.

A Nigeria Event Planning Agreement is needed whenever an event planner takes on paid responsibility for coordinating all or significant aspects of a client's event.

When a Nigerian event planner is engaged for a wedding — whether a traditional Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa ceremony, a white wedding, or a combined programme — the agreement establishes the planner's scope (venue booking, décor, catering coordination, entertainment, photographer liaison), the budget, and the consequences of client-driven changes or cancellations.

When a company in Nigeria — including Tier-1 banks, telecoms operators, oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta, or FMCG brands — engages an event management company for a product launch, annual general meeting, or employee recognition ceremony, the agreement must address intellectual property rights in event photography and video, confidentiality of business information, and the planner's insurance obligations.

When a government ministry, agency, or state government engages an event planner for an official ceremony — such as a commissioning event, national day celebration, or state dinner — the procurement rules under the Public Procurement Act 2007 may apply, and the agreement should reflect any Public Procurement Office requirements.

When a non-governmental organisation (NGO) or charity in Nigeria engages an event planner for a fundraising gala, the agreement should specify donor confidentiality obligations and compliance with the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) reporting requirements where the NGO is registered with SCUML.

Parties in Nigeria should prepare a Event Planning Agreement (Nigeria) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under Nigerian law, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) regulates corporate entities through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004) and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) govern employment disputes. The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) protect personal data. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers tax obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act. The Federal High Court and state High Courts have jurisdiction over civil matters. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.

A properly drafted Nigeria Event Planning Agreement must include the following elements.

Parties: Full legal names, CAC registration numbers (for companies registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria under Section 38 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020), and contact details of the event planner and client.

Event details: Full description of the event — type (wedding, corporate, social), date, venue, expected number of guests, and any theme or specific requirements.

Scope of services: A detailed list of services the planner will provide (venue sourcing, vendor management, décor, logistics, day-of coordination) and services expressly excluded (which the client will arrange independently).

Fee and payment schedule: The total planning fee in Nigerian Naira (NGN), whether VAT at 7.5% is included or additional under Section 2 of the Value Added Tax Act Cap V1 LFN 2004 as amended by the Finance Act 2020, and the payment schedule — typically a non-refundable booking deposit on signing, a mid-point payment, and a final balance before the event date. Section 33 of the Companies Income Tax Act Cap C21 LFN 2004 requires the planner to declare the fee as income for CIT purposes.

Cancellation policy: The financial consequences of cancellation by either party, including the deposit forfeiture structure, the sliding scale of cancellation fees, and any right to reschedule.

Vendor management: Whether the planner contracts vendors (caterers, photographers, venue operators, AV companies) as the client's agent or as principal, and who bears liability for vendor default. Section 2 of the Insurance Act Cap I17 LFN 2004 requires NAICOM-licensed insurers to cover event liability risks.

Force majeure: A clause addressing events outside the parties' control — government directives, natural disasters, venue closure — specifying whether fees are forfeited or events rescheduled.

Intellectual property: Ownership of event photographs, videos, and creative materials — whether the planner retains rights for portfolio use under Section 1 of the Copyright Act Cap C28 LFN 2004.

Data protection: Section 24 of the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA 2023) imposes obligations on the planner when processing guests' personal data. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) supervises compliance and may impose sanctions for breaches. The planner must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) where required under Section 30 of the NDPA 2023.

Dispute resolution: Mediation or arbitration under Section 15 of the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, or litigation before the relevant state Magistrates' Court or the Lagos State High Court. Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 confers jurisdiction on the Federal High Court of Nigeria over matters involving federal agencies.

Stamp duty: Section 4 of the Stamp Duties Act Cap S8 LFN 2004 requires the agreement to be duly stamped. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) administers stamp duty on agreements between companies; state Internal Revenue Services administer duty for individual parties. The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) handles employment disputes between the planner and its staff under Section 254C of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Nigeria-compliant documentation.