Nigeria’s event industry rich in talent but lacks structure — Mebitaghan

2026-03-14 - 04:57

By Benjamin Njoku Nigeria’s fast-growing events industry is brimming with creative talent capable of delivering world-class experiences, but the sector continues to struggle with weak business structures that leave many professionals facing burnout, unstable income and limited growth, an architect and business strategist, Theresa Aisha Mebitaghan, has said. Mebitaghan, popularly known as Tessie, said the major challenge facing the industry is not a shortage of creativity or skill, but the absence of proper business systems that can sustain long-term growth. Speaking on the state of the sector, she noted that many event professionals operate for years without clear pricing models, operational frameworks or scalable systems, a situation that often undermines profitability and professional stability. “This is one of the few industries where people operate for years without a proper pricing model or execution system,” she said. “We don’t need more talent; we need structure.” Mebitaghan, who holds dual master’s degrees in Architecture and Construction Project Management, founded BeeZees Creations in the United Kingdom in 2010. The company has since evolved into The BeeZees Group, a multi-faceted enterprise spanning luxury event production, professional training and business consultancy across the UK and Nigeria. Drawing from her architectural training—where planning, precision and structured execution are critical—she has focused on introducing similar discipline to Nigeria’s creative events sector. According to her, many highly talented professionals produce exceptional work but fail to build sustainable businesses because their operations depend heavily on individual effort rather than structured systems. “Talented creatives deliver extraordinary events, but the business side is often weak. Operations are personality-driven, pricing is reactive, and growth becomes difficult without scalable systems,” she explained. She added that the consequence is a recurring cycle where skilled professionals struggle financially despite their expertise. “Talented people remain broke, burnout becomes widespread, and the cycle continues,” she said. To address the challenge, Mebitaghan established the BeeZees Training Academy, which offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-certified programmes designed to equip creative entrepreneurs with essential business skills often absent from artistic training. One of the academy’s flagship programmes, The Elevated Event Planner & Stylist Masterclass, provides practical guidance on pricing strategies, operational systems and brand positioning aimed at helping professionals attract high-value clients and build sustainable enterprises. “The future of this industry is not about who can design the most beautiful space,” she said. “It is about who can build a business that operates efficiently, grows consistently and generates sustainable income.” Beyond the events industry, Mebitaghan’s initiatives extend to youth development and institutional collaboration. In Nigeria, she has worked with organisations on digital governance and artificial intelligence-driven public sector training programmes. In the United Kingdom, the BeeZees Young Creatives Project offers structured creative development pathways for sixth-form students, helping young people develop professional skills early. Her renewed focus on Nigeria, she said, is driven by the rapid expansion of the country’s creative economy and the need to ensure that talent is matched with sustainable business structures. “Nigeria’s creative space is growing quickly, but growth without structure leaves many professionals behind,” she noted. “I’m not coming to celebrate the growth alone; I’m coming to address what the growth is leaving behind.” Industry observers say Nigeria’s events sector moves billions of naira annually and continues to expand alongside the country’s entertainment and hospitality industries. However, experts argue that strengthening pricing systems, operational structures and professional discipline will be critical to ensuring long-term sustainability. For Mebitaghan, the message is clear: while creativity may open doors in the events industry, only strong systems and business structure can keep them open.