By 9jaDirectory Events | Updated: November 2025
Lagos runs on relationships. You can have a great product, but partnerships, distribution, and funding often come from the people you meet. The good news: networking is a skill—and you can learn it.
Goal: don’t “attend events”. Build a pipeline of relationships—customers, partners, mentors, and potential investors—then follow up consistently.
Where to Find Networking Events in Lagos
- Coworking hubs: founders’ mixers, demo days, community meetups (check hubs in Lagos).
- Industry associations: chambers of commerce, trade groups, professional bodies.
- Online calendars: Eventbrite, LinkedIn Events, X (Twitter) communities.
- Universities & tech communities: product meetups, hackathons, career fairs.
The Best Types of Events (Pick Based on Your Goal)
- To find customers: industry meetups, SME forums, business breakfasts.
- To find partners: trade fairs, association gatherings, niche communities.
- To find talent: tech meetups, university events, hackathons.
- To meet investors: pitch nights, demo days, accelerator events.
How to Network Like a Pro (Nigeria Edition)
- Arrive with a target: “I want 5 founder conversations + 2 potential partnerships.”
- Use a 1-sentence intro: “I help [who] get [result] using [how].”
- Ask better questions: “What’s your biggest challenge with X?”
- Capture contacts: save WhatsApp + LinkedIn; add a note (“met at Yaba meetup”).
- Follow up within 24–48 hours: send value (resource, intro, idea), not “How far?”
Follow-up Templates (Copy & Paste)
1) Customer follow-up
“Hi [Name], great meeting you at [Event]. You mentioned [problem]. Here’s a quick idea: [1–2 lines]. If you want, I can share a short plan on a 10-minute call this week.”
2) Partnership follow-up
“Hi [Name], enjoyed our chat at [Event]. I think there’s a partnership opportunity: you do [X], we do [Y]. If you’re open, let’s explore a small pilot.”
Make It Easy for People to Remember You
When someone asks “send your details”, don’t send a long voice note. Send a link people can share:
- Create a public profile on 9jaDirectory: list your business (free).
- If your business is already listed, search for it and use the “Claim this Business” button to manage it.
- Update your WhatsApp Business catalog and add a clear service description.
Before the Event: Quick Preparation
- Set a goal: 5 quality conversations beats 50 shallow handshakes.
- Prepare your intro: one sentence + one proof point (result, client type, metric).
- Prepare your “one-link” profile: a page you can share instantly (website or directory profile).
- Know your ask: partnership? customers? mentorship? hiring? investors? Decide before you arrive.
Conversation Starters That Work in Lagos
- “What are you building right now?”
- “Who is your ideal customer?”
- “What is the biggest bottleneck for growth this quarter?”
- “What kind of partnerships are you open to?”
Investor Conversations (Be Ready, Don’t Beg)
If you want to meet investors, your job is not to pitch instantly. Your job is to qualify interest and book a follow-up. Have these ready:
- What you sell + your traction (revenue, users, pilots, partnerships).
- Your business model in one sentence (how money comes in).
- Clear use of funds (what exactly you will do with the money).
- A short deck or 1-page summary you can send after the event.
Follow-up Sequence (Day 1–7)
- Day 1: send a message referencing what you discussed + one useful link/resource.
- Day 3: propose a short call with 2 time options.
- Day 7: send a reminder and an update (new result, new offer, new insight).
FAQ
How many events should I attend monthly?
Start with 2–4 events/month and focus on consistent follow-up. Your network grows from follow-up, not attendance.
What should I bring?
A strong intro, a link to your profile/website, and a simple way to save contacts (WhatsApp + LinkedIn). Fancy business cards are optional.
Relationship Management (Where Deals Are Won)
Networking is not a one-day activity. Treat it like a pipeline:
- Save notes: add one note per contact (what they do, what they need, next step).
- Follow up monthly: share one useful idea, intro, or opportunity.
- Be visible: post small updates (wins, lessons, offers) so people remember you.
Most opportunities come from people who remember you when a problem appears.
FAQ (More)
How do I approach someone without being awkward?
Start with context: ask what they do, what they are working on, or what brought them to the event. Keep it short, listen more than you talk, and end with a clear next step (swap contacts or book a quick call).
Should I pitch immediately?
Not usually. First qualify interest: do they have the problem you solve and the budget to pay? If yes, book a follow-up and send your one-page summary after the event.
What is the best follow-up if they don’t reply?
Send value, not pressure: a useful resource, a quick idea, or an introduction. Then ask one clear question and offer two time options for a short call.
Event selection tip: pick events where your ideal customers and partners actually attend. If you sell B2B services, prioritize business breakfasts and industry associations. If you’re in tech, prioritize founder meetups and demo days.
Related Categories to Explore
If you’re looking for agencies, consultants, or service providers, browse Professional Services and Technology.
Follow-Up Message Template (Copy/Paste)
Keep your follow-up short and specific:
"Hi [Name], great meeting you at [Event]. You mentioned [goal/problem]. Here are 2 quick ideas: [idea 1], [idea 2]. Want to jump on a 10-minute call this week? Tue or Thu?"
Conclusion
Networking is a skill. Show up consistently, track contacts, and follow up with value. That is how casual chats turn into partnerships and paying clients.
