Pauline Odhiambo18 Nigerians have won 2 million US dollars’ worth in Berklee scholarships at the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme, with 120 emerging Nigerian singers, songwriters, producers, and music professionals selected to participate in the programme.
The grand finale concert and award ceremony of the Berklee in Nigeria saw the inaugural edition of the initiative close on Sunday, April 26, at the National Theatre in Lagos.
At the event, 18 outstanding participants were awarded more than 2 million US dollars in scholarships, granting them fully funded undergraduate places at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
More than 2000 people applied.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Tiwa Savage — the 46-year-old Afrobeats superstar and Berklee alumna who graduated from the prestigious institution in 2007 — described the milestone as symbolic of the programme's broader mission.
She said: “When we started the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, the goal was to bring the world’s highest standards of music education home to Nigeria, and seeing 18 of our students receive life-changing scholarships to Berklee in Boston is proof that our talent is truly global.”
Organised by the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation in partnership with Berklee College of Music, the programme, held from 22 to 26 April, marked Berklee’s first on-the-ground appearance in Nigeria and the wider West African region. Sessions at the MUSON Centre School of Music ran daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., combining lectures, workshops, ensemble rehearsals, and one-on-one scholarship interviews across genres including Afrobeats, R&B, jazz, and gospel.
The grand finale, which was free to the public, drew over 1,000 revelers. Guest performances by the Loud Urban Choir and singer Teni energised the crowd.
All 120 participants received graduation certificates, while a widely shared moment saw Tiwa Savage and Nigerian singer Seyi Shay embrace — signalling a reconciliation after a previously reported rift.
During the launch of the Tiwa Savage’ Music Programme in February, the Afrobeats singer emphasized her goal to see more African artists in the global music industry, noting that though talent is universal, “access is not.”
She stated: “This is only the beginning of our mission to ensure that African creatives have the tools, the structure, and the platform to lead the world stage.”
