In a landmark moment for African music education, the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation has awarded 18 talented Nigerian music creatives fully funded scholarships to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. Valued at over $2 million, these scholarships represent one of the most significant investments in Nigerian musical talent in recent history.
The scholarship announcement came during an electrifying grand finale concert held at the iconic National Theatre in Lagos. The event served as the culminating showcase of a week-long intensive training programme that ran from April 22 to 26, 2026. Eighteen standout participants selected from 120 singers, songwriters, producers, and music professionals were named as scholarship recipients after demonstrating exceptional talent and dedication throughout the programme.
The intensive programme was designed in direct partnership with Berklee College of Music, bringing world-class faculty to Nigeria for a hands-on, immersive experience. Participants received training across key areas, including: Live performance and ensemble techniques, Professional songwriting and music composition, music production and studio craft, The business of music industry knowledge, rights, and monetisation. Berklee instructors leading sessions spanned disciplines including voice coaching, global music studies, percussion, and ensemble direction, giving participants a genuinely international standard of training right in Lagos.
The closing concert, co-hosted by beloved Nigerian entertainers Darey Art Alade and Kie Kie, was nothing short of spectacular. Participants performed live across multiple genres, including Afrobeats, R&B, hip-hop, gospel, jazz, and fusion. Highlights included powerful renditions of timeless classics alongside contemporary hits like Ayra Starr’s Bloody Samaritan, while guest acts Loud Choir and Teni brought additional star power to an already unforgettable evening.
Visibly moved at the ceremony, global Afrobeats superstar and foundation founder Tiwa Savage described the milestone as both emotional and historic. She explained that the foundation was born out of a desire to make world-class music education accessible to Nigerian and African creatives, empowering them to compete and thrive on the global stage without having to leave the continent to discover their opportunities. Berklee’s Dean of Admissions, Damien Bracken, echoed this sentiment, praising the programme’s emphasis on collaboration and its long-term vision for nurturing artistic growth among African musicians
Access to elite music education has long been a barrier for talented African artists. The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation Berklee scholarship initiative directly addresses this gap not just by funding tuition, but by creating a structured pathway for Nigerian creatives to receive mentorship, industry exposure, and globally recognised qualifications. This initiative sets a powerful precedent: that African excellence, when properly supported, is more than capable of leading on the world stage.
