Afrobeats star, Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, and leading entertainment promoter and philanthropist, Soso Soberekon are back in the spotlight over a scholarship initiative aimed at 500 young people from the Niger Delta. 

The scheme, tagged “From Carnival to Classroom”, is being praised in the region as an example of entertainment figures putting their influence behind education and grassroots development.

The initiative was announced after the Benikrukru Christmas Carnival in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, which featured Burna Boy and was packaged by Soberekon. The event drew young people from across the Niger Delta and attracted national and international attention.

Organisers said the huge turnout and positive reception inspired them to turn the carnival’s success into a lasting social project, moving from entertainment to something that would leave a mark on the community.

Under the plan, the scholarships will go to 500 Niger Delta youths who are currently enrolled in tertiary institutions and struggling to pay their school fees. Soberekon is reported to have partnered with Dr (Mrs) Esther Mathew Tonlagha, founder of the EMT Foundation, to make sure indigent students are supported.

The scheme is meant to ease the burden of tuition costs so that financial hardship does not derail the education of the region’s young people.

Stakeholders have described the intervention as a strong example of corporate social responsibility and a boost for human capital development in the oil-rich region. They also say it shows how cultural events can drive lasting social impact. When the programme was first announced, organisers said the rollout plan and application guidelines would be made public in due course.

The attention comes as the Niger Delta continues to face high costs of tertiary education and heavy demand for financial support among students. Government agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Presidential Amnesty Programme also run scholarship schemes for the region, while private initiatives like this one add to the support available to students.

Applicants are advised to rely only on official announcements from the organisers and the EMT Foundation for details on eligibility and the application process.