In today’s Nigeria, the cost of attending events whether it’s a major concert, conference, wedding expo, or church convention can be high. With inflation, rising transport costs, and other financial pressures, many people want to attend but can’t afford to pay for tickets all at once.

That’s why giving your audience the option to pay for tickets in installments can boost your ticket sales and attendance, especially for big-budget events. It’s like how people buy phones or electronics on EasyBuy same idea, but for events.

Here’s how to make it work for your own event:

1. Understand Why Nigerians Love Payment Plans

Let’s face it Nigerians are used to paying for things small-small. Whether it’s rent, school fees, or even aso ebi, installment payments are part of everyday life. Offering ticket payment plans is a way to meet your people where they are. You’ll be helping those who genuinely want to attend but need a flexible way to pay.

2. Choose the Right Type of Payment Plan

There are different ways to structure ticket installment plans:

Fixed Two-Part Payment: Let attendees pay 50% now and 50% before the event. This is simple and easy to manage.

Monthly Payment Plan: Spread the ticket cost over 2 or 3 months. Works best for events planned ahead.

Custom Milestone Plans: Tie payments to specific dates or milestones, e.g., “Pay ₦10,000 by August 1st, another ₦10,000 by September 1st.”

Keep it simple. Nigerians don’t want complicated arrangements that feel like a loan from a microfinance bank.

3. Use Platforms That Support Installment Payments

If you’re selling your tickets online, choose platforms that allow payment plan options. Some Nigerian ticketing platforms already support this (e.g., Tix.africa, Eventbrite with third-party tools, or even simple Paystack/Flutterwave setups with manual tracking).

Alternatively, use:

Bank transfers with receipts (if doing it manually)

WhatsApp follow-ups to track who has paid and how much

Google Forms to manage records (if you're a small team)

4. Be Clear with Your Terms

Let attendees know:

The total ticket cost, the payment schedule and due dates, what happens if they miss a payment (e.g., ticket canceled, no access), whether there's a non-refundable deposit

Transparency builds trust, especially since Nigerians can be wary of scams or last-minute changes.

5. Promote It as a Limited-Time Offer

You can create urgency by making the installment plan available only for early birds or before a certain date. For example:

"Pay in 2 installments before August 15th to secure your slot for the Abuja Business Summit!"

This gives people a reason to act fast and start paying early.

6. Offer Value to Justify the Price

If your ticket is expensive, explain why it’s worth it. Highlight what attendees will get: VIP treatment, networking opportunities, access to top speakers, food, or merchandise.

When people understand the value, they’re more willing to commit even in installments.

7. Follow Up and Send Reminders

People forget. Set automated SMS, WhatsApp, or email reminders a few days before each due date. Don’t rely on memory alone, na who remind person, na him go collect money.

8. Be Ready for Customer Service Questions

Nigerians will ask: “Can I pay 3 times instead of 2?” or “Can I pay on salary week?” Be flexible if you can, but have clear guidelines so you’re not overwhelmed with custom requests.

Conclusion

In a country where people are juggling multiple expenses, giving your guests a chance to pay for event tickets small-small can be a game changer. Whether it’s a concert in Lagos, a business seminar in Abuja, or a church crusade in Port Harcourt, flexible payment options help you attract more people, reduce ticket abandonment, and build trust with your audience. It’s simple: the easier you make it for people to pay, the more likely they are to attend. So go ahead start offering ticket payment plans and watch your attendance grow!