MUSON School of Music’s graduate, Izuakolam Bright, has won a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, United States, marking a major milestone in his musical journey.
Reflecting on the role the MTN Foundation played in turning his dreams into reality, Bright said: “MTN has been of immense help to me. Sponsoring myself would have been impossible coming all the way from Abia State in South East Nigeria.”
He added that the scholarship gave him the platform to grow as a musician and pursue opportunities he never imagined possible. “The MTN Foundation scholarship programme has given me a platform and lots of exposure, and the opportunities I never imagined possible,” he enthused.
For Bright, the journey to Berklee College of Music in the United States is proof that when talent is matched with opportunity, it opens doors to the global stage. His story also reflects the impact of the MTN Foundation’s long-standing partnership with the MUSON School of Music, which has continued to remove financial barriers for gifted young Nigerians, while nurturing the next generation of professional musicians.
The Foundation is already extending that opportunity to a new generation of aspiring musicians. Applications for the 20th edition of the MTN Foundation MUSON Music Scholars Programme opened on July 20 and will close on August 23, 2026.
Speaking, MTN Foundation’s Executive Director, Odunayo Sanya, said the two-decade partnership with MUSON School of Music highlights its commitment to developing young talent through education. “Twenty years is more than a milestone for us. It is evidence of what sustained investment in talent can achieve. When MTN Foundation and MUSON began this partnership in 2006, our ambition was to ensure that talented young Nigerians were not prevented from pursuing professional music education, because they lacked access or financial support.
“More than 500 young Nigerians have since benefited from the programme, receiving the training and opportunities to develop their talent and pursue careers in music. As we mark 20 years of this partnership, our focus is also on the future and the next generation of musicians who will shape Nigeria’s creative landscape. We remain committed to creating opportunities for them to learn, grow and realise their potential,” he stressed.