The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation (TSMF) has awarded more than $2 million in fully-funded scholarships to 18 emerging Nigerian artistes to pursue undergraduate studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Organisers announced the awards on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the grand finale concert of the Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program held at the National Theatre in Lagos.
The five-day programme, which ran from April 22 to 26, represented Berklee College of Music’s first institutional on-the-ground initiative in Nigeria and the broader West African region. It drew over 2,100 applications, from which organisers selected 120 aspiring artistes, songwriters, and producers.
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Participants received training at the MUSON Centre School of Music in genres including Afrobeats, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and gospel. The curriculum featured classroom sessions, ensemble practice, specialist lectures, and one-on-one scholarship interviews led by six Berklee faculty members: Dennis Montgomery III (Academic Director), Yoron Israel, Tyrone Chase, Nichelle Mungo, Anthony Nembhard, and Jason Camelio.
During the finale, all 120 participants performed original compositions and received graduation certificates. Organisers then presented the three-year undergraduate scholarships to the 18 top performers on stage in front of music industry executives and dignitaries.
Tiwa Savage, a Berklee alumna, highlighted the programme’s importance at the event.
“This is what building infrastructure is, this is what creating access is,” she said. “Berklee has been an important part of my journey. Being able to bring this program back home to Nigeria means everything to me. I’m humbled to build this bridge for talent who deserve world-class training.”
Dean of Admissions Damien Bracken said the faculty was pleased to review the results of the Berklee auditions and interviews at the inaugural Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme, and praised Savage’s efforts.
“Having known Tiwa since she enrolled at Berklee, it was clear to us then that she was on a path to success in the music industry, and it is particularly inspiring that she has leveraged her success to give back to her community here in Nigeria in such a meaningful and special way,” he said.
The scholarships, valued at more than $2.1 million in total, will allow the recipients to enrol at Berklee’s Boston campus next year. The initiative aims to expand access to high-quality music education for promising Nigerian talent.
“We auditioned and interviewed a total of 27 highly skilled musicians, and today we will award in excess of $2.1 million in merit scholarships to assist these candidates to successfully enrol at Berklee in Boston next year. We are hopeful that this is just the first of many engagements and collaborations with Tiwa as we work together to bring Africa to Berklee and continue to positively impact the global music industry,” Damien Bracken added.
The ceremony in Nigeria marks a historic first for the institution in Africa and advances the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation’s mission to expand access to world-class music education. By removing barriers, spotlighting talent, and investing in knowledge, structure, and access, the Foundation opens global pathways for African creatives.