MTN MUSON Music Scholarship Programme 2026: Music Training Support
Written by Admin | 22 Jul 2026
If you've ever dreamed of turning your musical talent into a real profession, not just a hobby you squeeze in between school runs and the 9 to 5 grind, the MTN Foundation/MUSON Music Scholars Programme might just be the door you've been knocking on.
It's fully funded, internationally structured, and has already produced more than 500 fully sponsored music scholars since the programme began in 2006. That's not a small legacy; that's two decades of careers launched from a classroom in Lagos.
What is the Scholarship, Really?
The MTN MUSON Music Scholars Programme is a fully funded scholarship offering comprehensive music training at the MUSON School of Music in Lagos, covering tuition, books, and transportation.
In other words, the MTN Foundation isn't just handing out a certificate and a handshake; every admitted scholarship carries the student's entire education, start to finish.
The training itself is delivered through the MUSON Diploma Course in Music, a rigorous two year, full time programme designed to meet international standards in music education. Students can specialise in any of the following majors:
Piano
Organ
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Flute
Clarinet
Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion
Classical Guitar
Voice
Beyond your chosen major, the curriculum pushes students to become diverse musicians. Everyone also studies a minor instrument outside their main family (a voice major, for instance, must pass at least Grade 2 piano), and every student joins a choir, orchestra, or band. There's no sitting on the sidelines here.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the diploma course, applicants generally need:
The GCE Ordinary Level or SSCE, with credit passes in five subjects, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings and before admission to the diploma course
A Grade 5 (or higher) Practical certificate from the MUSON School of Music or another recognised music examining body
A Grade 5 (or higher) Theory certificate from the same, or a recognised equivalent
Applicants who already hold these practical/theory certificates are typically considered to have also satisfied the academic (O-Level/SSCE) requirement, since those certificates carry the equivalent English Language requirement built in
Even if your theory isn't quite at Grade 5 standard yet, some applicants are still admitted on the condition of taking a remedial theory class in their first year, so a slightly rough foundation isn't necessarily a dealbreaker if your talent and practical skills are strong.
The Entrance Examination
Admission isn't automatic; candidates must sit for a proper entrance exam, which typically includes the following:
A written Theory exam, pitched around Grade 5 standard, covering general music knowledge
A Practical/performance audition on your chosen major instrument (and often your prospective minor)
These exams are usually held over several days in early September, so if you're applying, block out that week entirely; no compromises.
How to Apply
While specific portal details are announced each cycle, the general application process for the programme follows this pattern:
Prepare your documents: O-Level/SSCE results, any existing music grade certificates (practical and theory), and personal identification.
Submit your application through the designated channel.
Sit the entrance examination: a written theory paper plus a practical audition on your instrument or voice.
Attend an interview/audition; if shortlisted, shortlisted candidates are typically invited for auditions and interviews at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.
Await admission results; successful candidates begin the two year diploma course, fully funded from day one.
The MTN Foundation has celebrated multiple cohorts of graduates from the MUSON School of Music Diploma Programme over the years, reaffirming its commitment to developing young Nigerian talent through quality music education.