In Nigeria, getting sponsors for your event isn’t just about packaging a shiny PDF proposal and sending it to big brands. It’s about proving value showing that supporting your event will give them real returns. Whether you’re hosting a concert in Lagos, a tech conference in Abuja, or a church program in Ibadan, the right sponsorship pitch can make or break your budget.

At Shows.ng, we’ve seen firsthand how the right approach can turn a “no budget” response into a full-blown partnership. Here’s how to pitch like a pro and give sponsors exactly what they’re looking for.

1. Understand What Nigerian Sponsors Really Want

Before you start typing “Dear Sir/Madam,” stop and think: Why should this brand give me their money or resources?

Most Nigerian sponsors are looking for:

• Brand visibility: Logo on banners, stage backdrops, staff T-shirts, social media posts.
• Access to your audience: Especially Gen Z, students, young professionals, or other niche groups.
• Engagement opportunities: Booth space, sampling, meet-and-greets.
• Social impact: Especially for CSR-focused companies or NGOs.

2. Craft a Pitch That Speaks Their Language

When pitching in Nigeria, keep it direct and relatable. Brands want to know how their money will work for them.

Include in your pitch:

• Audience details – age, gender, interests, and location.
• Track record – “Last year’s event in Ikeja attracted 1,200 attendees and over 25,000 online impressions.”
• Local data – “According to industry reports, online brand engagement in Nigeria rose by over 30% in 2024.”
• Clear formatting – bullet points, bold headers, and high-quality images work better than long grammar.

If you’ve hosted events before, upload proof and make it easy for them to check you out. That’s where a Shows.ng event profile comes in handy, your past events, audience stats, and photos in one link.

3. Offer Sponsorship Packages That Make Sense

Instead of saying, “We need ₦2 million for this event,” create flexible sponsorship tiers:

• Gold, Silver, Bronze Packages – with increasing benefits.
• Custom options – “Social Media-Only Sponsorship” or “Brand Activation Space at Venue.”
• Digital exposure – Instagram Reels sponsorship, WhatsApp status branding, X (Twitter) trends.

Nigerian brands love flexibility. Be open to barter deals, a company might not give cash but can provide drinks, sound equipment, or influencer marketing support. That’s still huge value.

4. Deliver More Than You Promised

Securing the sponsorship is one step. Making them happy is the real win.

• Arrive early to set up their branding materials.
• Assign a team member to attend to their reps.
• Give them multiple shout-outs during the event.
• Tag them in social media posts (don’t just post one picture and disappear).

After the event, send a short report: attendance numbers, engagement stats, and photos. On Shows.ng, you can even share your event analytics in a neat, professional format that impresses sponsors.

5. Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions

In Nigeria, networking is currency. If you treat sponsors like ATM machines, they won’t stick around.

• Call to say thank you.
• Share photos of how their support made an impact.
• Send branded souvenirs or a small gift during festive seasons.
• Keep in touch, don’t only reach out when you need money.

Long-term sponsorship deals come from trust and mutual benefit, not just one-off requests.

Conclusion

Sponsorship in Nigeria isn’t begging for help, it’s offering a brand the chance to be part of something big. If you understand what sponsors want, speak their language, and deliver value, you’ll not only secure funding but also build partners who return year after year.

With Shows.ng, you can make your events more attractive to sponsors by having a professional online profile, visible event history, and verified audience reach. The right presentation can turn a “We’ll get back to you” into “Where do we sign?”