No fewer than 18 young Nigerians have secured fully funded scholarships valued at over $2.1 million to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, following the debut edition of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation intensive programme.
The five-day initiative, held from April 22 to 26, 2026, brought together 120 emerging artists, songwriters, producers, and music professionals from across Nigeria. Designed to bridge the gap between Africa’s booming music scene and global education standards, the programme offered hands-on training in live performance, songwriting, music production, and the business side of music.
The programme culminated in a grand finale concert and award ceremony at the National Theatre, where participants showcased original works developed during the intensive. The event, hosted by Darey Art Alade and Kie Kie, featured live band performances spanning Afrobeats, R&B, hip-hop, gospel, jazz, and fusion genres.
Attendees were treated to renditions of songs by global icons and contemporary stars, alongside original compositions from participants. Guest appearances by Teni and Loud Choir added excitement to the night.
Speaking at the event, founder Tiwa Savage described the moment as both emotional and fulfilling, expressing pride in the participants’ growth and achievements. She reiterated that the foundation’s vision is to deliver world-class music education within Nigeria, noting that the scholarship awards highlight the global competitiveness of Nigerian talent.
According to her, the initiative represents only the beginning of broader efforts to equip African creatives with the skills, exposure, and opportunities needed to excel internationally.
Faculty members from Berklee who facilitated the programme included Dennis Montgomery, Yoron Israel, Tyrone Chase, Nichelle Mungo, Anthony Nembhard, and Jason Camelio, who oversees the institution’s global programmes and partnerships.
In his remarks, Camelio praised the quality of talent discovered during auditions and interviews, noting that the programme reflects Tiwa Savage’s commitment to giving back to Nigeria years after her own time at Berklee.
The initiative also placed strong emphasis on collaboration, mentorship, and long-term career development, with select participants gaining pathways into Berklee’s global programmes.
The finale drew over 1,000 attendees, including representatives of the U.S. Consulate, industry stakeholders, cultural figures, and government officials. Among them was Yeni Kuti. Opening remarks were delivered by Foluso Phillips, Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria and a member of the foundation’s Board of Trustees.
All 120 participants received graduation certificates, while the 18 scholarship recipients earned admission into Berklee’s undergraduate programmes in Boston.
The initiative marks Berklee’s first major academic engagement on the African continent and is widely seen as a significant step toward expanding access to structured, world-class music education in Nigeria—further positioning the country as a global hub for creative talent.