Event industry professionals move to strengthen collaboration, standards in Nigeria
Determined to strengthen capacity building, industry regulation and collaboration, the Association of Professional Party Organisers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN) has pledged to work with the Lagos State government to advance professionalism within Nigeria.
Determined to strengthen capacity building, industry regulation and collaboration, the Association of Professional Party Organisers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN) has pledged to work with the Lagos State government to advance professionalism within Nigeria.
According to the Association, its mission is to promote excellence, ethics, capacity building, and industry regulation among professional event planners, decorators, caterers, rental companies, and other stakeholders in the event ecosystem.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Ayiri Oladunmoye, president of APPOEMN, said the visit is part of the ongoing initiatives aimed at elevating standards across the industry through training, advocacy, certification, and strategic partnerships.
Oladunmoye said the association is committed to creating a structured and globally competitive event industry that contributes significantly to employment generation, tourism, and economic development.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, lauded APPOEMN for its proactive efforts in organising and professionalising the event industry, acknowledging the vital role event professionals play in driving economic activities and enhancing the social and cultural landscape of Lagos State.
Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of maintaining high standards, prioritising safety, building competence, and ensuring continuous training for practitioners in the industry, adding that professionalism and adherence to best practices are essential for sustaining growth and earning public confidence.
The Governor also expressed the Lagos State Government’s willingness to support initiatives that promote skills development, quality assurance, and industry-wide standards.
Ayiri also reaffirmed the association’s dedication to working with government and relevant stakeholders to entrench professionalism, improve service delivery, and position Nigeria’s event industry as a major contributor to national development.
In recognition of his visionary leadership and continued support for the creative and hospitality sectors, APPOEMN presented Governor Sanwo-Olu with an award of excellence
The courtesy visit marks another milestone in APPOEMN’s advocacy efforts to secure greater recognition and institutional support for event professionals across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Association has concluded plans to train 1,000 waiters and hospitality service professionals in commemoration of International Waiters Day, scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2026.
This historic initiative, the first of its kind in Nigeria’s event industry, is designed to equip waiters with world-class service skills, professional ethics, customer relations expertise, and practical knowledge required to excel in today’s highly competitive hospitality and events sector.
According to the body, the training underscores its unwavering commitment to raising standards and strengthening the professional capacity of service personnel who play a vital role in the success of every event. Waiters are the frontline ambassadors of hospitality. Their professionalism, etiquette, and efficiency significantly influence guest satisfaction and the overall success of every event and hospitality operation.
Ayiri Oladunmoye, president of APPOEMN, said the initiative is more than a training programme; it is a movement to recognise, empower, and elevate the men and women whose dedication ensures seamless service at every successful event.
Oladunmoye said that by training 1,000 waiters, APPOEMN is setting a new benchmark for professionalism in Nigeria’s event industry.
“We believe that when service professionals are equipped with the right knowledge and skills, the entire industry benefits”
“APPOEMN remains committed to advocacy, education, and industry development, with programmes that create sustainable opportunities and improve service standards nationwide,” she said.
She further said that APPOEMN is investing in the future of the industry by providing structured, practical, and impactful training that will improve service delivery and professionalism, enhance employability and earning potential, build confidence and promote global best practices in the event and hospitality industry.
On her part, Adeola Sessi-Traore, Education Director of APPOEMN, said that waiters play a vital role in shaping guest experience, yet their impact is often overlooked.
This initiative focuses on building their capacity, enhancing service delivery, and creating pathways for growth within the hospitality and event industry, ensuring they are recognised as professionals, not just support staff.
