A total of 120 up-and-coming Nigerian singers, songwriters, producers, and other music creatives have taken part in a highly competitive training programme, selected from over 2,100 applicants nationwide.
The initiative concluded with a grand finale concert and award ceremony held on Sunday at the National Theatre Lagos, marking the end of the inaugural Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme (Class of 2026).
One of the major highlights of the event was the presentation of scholarships to 18 exceptional participants. Collectively valued at over $2 million, the awards provide recipients with fully funded undergraduate opportunities at the Berklee College of Music in the United States.
The programme was organised by the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation in collaboration with Berklee College of Music. It ran from April 22 to 26 and represents the institution’s first physical training programme hosted in Nigeria and across the wider West African region.
Training sessions were conducted at the MUSON Centre School of Music, where participants engaged in intensive daily classes running from morning to evening. The curriculum was designed to be both practical and comprehensive, covering areas such as live performance, songwriting, music production, stage presence, and the commercial aspects of the music industry.
In addition to lectures and workshops, participants benefited from mentorship sessions, group rehearsals, and individual scholarship interviews. The programme aimed not only to refine artistic skills but also to equip emerging talents with the knowledge and industry exposure needed to compete on a global stage.
Overall, the initiative has been widely seen as a significant step toward nurturing Nigeria’s next generation of music professionals while strengthening international collaboration in the creative sector.