18 Nigerian Talents Have Been Awarded Berklee Scholarships Through The Tiwa Savage Foundation Program

A significant achievement has been reached in Nigeria’s creative industry as 18 young music talents have obtained fully funded scholarships exceeding $2 million to study at Berklee College of Music, following an intensive training program by the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation.

This was announced during a grand finale concert at the National Theatre in Lagos, where the selected participants concluded a week-long creative bootcamp from April 22 to 26, 2026. The program featured 120 emerging singers, songwriters, producers, and music professionals who engaged in competition and collaboration across various music creation aspects.

In partnership with Berklee College of Music, the initiative included workshops, mentorship sessions, and live collaborations focusing on performance, songwriting, production, and the music business. Faculty members from Berklee, covering ensembles, percussion, voice, and global music studies, guided the participants throughout the training.

The finale was a showcase hosted by Darey Art Alade and Kie Kie, featuring live band performances across genres such as Afrobeats, R&B, hip-hop, gospel, jazz, and fusion. Notable moments included unique interpretations of classics like “Killing Me Softly” and “Papaoutai,” along with popular Afrobeats tracks like Ayra Starr’s “Bloody Samaritan.” Guest performances from Loud Choir and singer Teni enhanced the event’s energy.

At the event, Tiwa Savage referred to the occasion as emotional and historic, underscoring the foundation’s aim to connect Nigerian talent with top-tier music education.

“Seeing these young musicians perform at the National Theatre was a deeply emotional and proud moment for me. Our goal with the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation was to bring elite music education to Nigeria, and witnessing 18 of our students receiving transformative scholarships to Berklee in Boston demonstrates that our talent is indeed global. This marks the beginning of our mission to provide African creatives with the necessary tools, structure, and platform to thrive on the world stage.”

Dean of Admissions Damien Bracken, representing Berklee, commended the program for fostering collaboration and encouraging long-term artistic development among participants.

The training was conducted by Berklee faculty members, including Dennis Montgomery, Yoron Israel, Tyrone Chase, Nichelle Mungo, Anthony Nembhard, and Jason Camelio, who manages global programs and partnerships.

With industry leaders present and 18 scholarships awarded, the initiative has established itself as a vital link between Nigerian talent and global music education, potentially influencing the next wave of African creatives on an international level.