Eighteen Nigerian creatives have secured more than $2m in scholarships to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA, marking a major breakthrough in access to global music education.
The awards were presented at the conclusion of the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme, led by Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage, which brought together 120 emerging singers, songwriters, producers, and music professionals from across Nigeria.
Organised by the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation in partnership with Berklee, the initiative reflects a growing push to connect African talent with elite global training institutions, as Afrobeats continues to expand internationally and demand rises for professionally trained artists from the continent.
The scholarships, announced during a grand finale at the National Theatre in Lagos, will fund full undergraduate studies in Boston for the selected participants.
According to organisers of the programme, more than 2,000 applicants applied to join the initiative, highlighting strong demand for structured music education in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding creative economy.
Savage described the milestone as evidence of Africa’s global creative potential.
‘Seeing 18 of our students receive life-changing scholarships to Berklee in Boston is proof that our talent is truly global,’ she said.
A Berklee alumna herself, Savage graduated in 2007 and has since become one of Africa’s most internationally recognised Afrobeats artists.
The programme, held from April 22 to 26 at the MUSON Centre School of Music, marked Berklee’s first in-person training initiative in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Participants underwent daily sessions combining lectures, workshops, ensemble rehearsals, and one-on-one scholarship interviews. Training covered Afrobeats, R&B, jazz, and gospel.
All 120 participants received certificates of completion, reinforcing the programme’s broader focus on capacity building beyond scholarship awards.
Lagos finale draws strong turnout
The closing concert attracted more than 1,000 attendees and featured performances by the Loud Urban Choir and Nigerian singer Teni.
A notable moment during the event saw Savage embrace fellow artist Seyi Shay, signalling a reconciliation after a previously reported disagreement — a development that drew widespread attention among fans.
Expanding access for African creatives
The programme aligns with Savage’s wider ambition to position African artists on the global stage.
At the foundation’s launch earlier this year, she emphasised the structural inequalities facing creatives from the continent.
‘Talent is universal, but access is not,’ she said, highlighting the need for systems that enable African artists to compete globally.
The Lagos initiative is expected to serve as a model for future editions, with potential expansion across Africa as demand for professional music education grows.
With African music continuing to gain international recognition, initiatives linking local talent to global institutions are likely to play a critical role in shaping the industry’s next phase.
Savage said the foundation remains committed to equipping African creatives with the tools needed to lead internationally.
‘This is only the beginning,’ she said.
