Top 10 Best Music Schools In Nigeria (2024)

This is a comprehensive list of the top 10 best music schools in Nigeria currently in this year 2024. These music schools have continually raised the bar in their impartation of this art form to as many students that have been privileged to learn at them and they have over the years gained wide popularity for their excellence in this field of the arts.

At these top Nigerian music schools or academies, traditional African, European and modern music are imparted into students who understand their importance. Many prospective music students would love to forge their careers as excellent musicians skilled especially in classical music, while learning other music forms available to them at various music schools. As we proceed, we will look at the leading academies in Nigeria as far as this art form is concerned.

TOP 10 BEST MUSIC SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA 2024: FULL LIST 

Below is the full list of the 10 best and most popular music schools in Nigeria this 2024:

MUSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC

The MUSON School of Music located at 8/9, Marina Road, Onikan, Lagos is arguably the most popular music school in Nigeria currently. This school which is one of the top 10 best music schools in Nigeria today, is owned and run by the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), and it operates a basic school as well as a government accredited School of Music which, among others, provides quality music education up to the professional level.

The MUSON School of Music was established in 1989 to provide basic music training for children and adults interested in learning how to sing or play any musical instrument. In 2002, the Federal Government of Nigeria accredited it to award Diplomas in Music; these Diplomas can be equated with those awarded by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in the United Kingdom. The accreditation led to the establishment of the two-year MUSON Diploma School in 2006.

Some of the school’s unique selling point are that:

• The Diploma School is staffed and led by some of the best.
• All the students admitted to the course receive MTNF Scholarships.
• It has graduated over 300 students since 2006.
• Over 3000 others have attended the School’s Basic Programme since 1989.
• The Diploma School’s alumni is noted for their outstanding musicianship and have excelled in their chosen careers. Those admitted for further studies in Nigerian, South African, European and American universities have distinguished themselves in their studies.
• The Diploma School owns the award-winning MUSON Diploma Choir directed by Emeka Nwokedi and the MUSON School Orchestra directed by Babatunde Sosan. It has also produced outstanding students ensembles such as the all-female GIRLZ RULE Band, the 5YZ MEN and The Theosolites, Eko ensemble.

The School’s Diploma programme alumni increasingly constitute the bulk of young music professionals in Nigeria today where they work as teachers in schools, performers in orchestras, entrepreneurs in the music industry etc. Others have gone on to pursue higher education in music in American, European and South African Universities. One notable composer and musicologist associated with MUSON is Professor Laz Ekwueme, the brother to late Nigerian former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme.

TENSTRINGS MUSIC INSTITUTE

Tenstrings Music Institute is the biggest music school in Nigeria currently and they operate various study centers in Ikeja, Lekki/Ajah, Surulere, Festac Town, Port Harcourt and Abuja; with plans in place to open more centres in other major cities across the federation. This music school has trained over 15,000 students from 16 countries over a period of 13 years. Tenstrings Music Institute is duly registered and accredited by the appropriate government authorities in Nigeria and is affiliated to several reputable universities around the world. They are also incorporated in the United Kingdom and operating there as “Africa Heritage Academy UK Ltd”.

Programmes at this music school cover two specific areas such as Music Performance and Music Production and the institute has more than ten different courses in these two key areas spanning different durations and depths, and depending on the amount of time at your disposal of the music student and the skill level they want to attain, programmes at this music academy can last from three months to two years. This school of music was established to cater to the needs of young music artistes who desire to build careers in contemporary music such as Hip-Hop, Reggae, RnB, Gospel, Jazz, Rock, Highlife, Afrobeat, to mention but a few, by equipping them with an all round music and business training.

THE STRAUSS SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DANCE

The Strauss School of Music and Dance is located at 6, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja and it specializes in performing arts such as music, dance, and drama. The school has three academies: Junior, Senior and Diploma Academies respectively, providing instruction in both the Classical and Jazz genres. Each academy offers courses in Music Instrumentation, Music Theory, Dance and Musical Theatre.

The Strauss School of Music and Dance also has a functional recording studio that offers a comfortable environment, making things very conducive to the creative process. Their goal is to provide the most professional sound and recording services, by employing seasoned audio engineers with diverse backgrounds to better assist musicians and producers in nailing down the right sound no matter the song, recording, or session.

LEE ELLIE MUSIC SCHOOL

This is a leading music school in Nigeria located at Yaba, Lagos State. Lee Ellie Music School is the country’s leader in private/home music education. They are dedicated to bringing the best of music lessons in singing, piano/keyboard, guitar, violin, recorder, saxophone, music theory, artiste grooming etc., to the comfort of your homes at affordable prices.

This music academy also give class lessons at their Yaba branch near Ozone or E-centre, and they enroll students from the age range of 3 years and above. Classes are taken individually and according to them, their students begin to play from the very first day of class. Teachers employed at Lee Ellie School of Music are some of the best in the country that are continually being trained by their UK-trained facilitator to bring the best out of their music students, ensuring that quality and top-class lessons are guaranteed.

TONALITY MUSIC SCHOOL

Tonality Music School is located in Ikeja, the capital city of Lagos. This music academy, which is a subsidiary of Tonality Music International, provides quality Music education for all age groups, teaching, developing and helping students to fulfil their music career and vision. Tonality Music School teaches music in the Primary, Secondary and Higher Colleges of Learning, and their course curriculum includes: Theory of music, voice and musical instruments as guitar, piano, saxophone, trumpet, violin, drums, talking drums, etc.

They also prepare students for both local and international music exams and Certifications such as ABRSM, MUSON, TRINITY, to mention but a few, and this has over the years, cemented their status as one of the very best music schools in the country.

ABBA MUSIC SCHOOL

Abba Music School (AMS) is located in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and it is currently one of the best in the country. This music academy was established in 2012 from humble beginnings but has since expanded with one major location at Apo Legislators Quarters, Abuja. Abba Music School is run by musicians for prospective musicians, the school provides quality musical education at an affordable cost to everyone who wants to learn without regards to race, age, pace or preference and they teach various musical styles and follow a very detailed curriculum that will inspire every student on their music journey.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA 

The Department of Music, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was established in 1961, and it is the first full-fledged Department of Music in the country. This means that it is the first university ever in Nigeria to award degrees in Music. According to the UNN official website, the department, from inception, introduced what is called a “bi-musical” programme which placed the teaching of Western and African music at par.

In 1965 the department graduated its first set of four music students, and in 1988, it commenced postgraduate programme with specialization in music education, music theory and composition and African music. The Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970 disrupted the academic growth of the department and all the instructional materials and musical instruments and equipment were lost or destroyed. In spite of efforts made since the end of the war, the department has not completely recovered from the ravages of the war nor has it received deserving attention for purposes of rehabilitating it adequately. Nevertheless, trickling resources over the years have been properly managed to keep the department in shape and functioning.

Music programmes at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka are designed to produce skillful, versatile and experienced musicians, with emphasis being placed on performance and competent musicianship. The theoretical and practical courses serve to explain and complement one another, thus preparing the graduates and diplomats to appreciate, analyse, practice and communicate African and world music as performance as well as literary art.

The last two years of the degree programmes introduce areas of professional specialization in Composition, Performance, Ethnomusicology, Music Education, and Music Instrument Technology according to skills and aptitudes in order to consolidate, extend and develop the basic knowledge and skills acquired in earlier year(s). Required ancillary/elective courses ensure an overall balance of the programmes.

PETER KING COLLEGE OF MUSIC

Peter King College of Music is a privately-owned musical institution that was established in 1982 by the jazz artist Peter King. It is located in Badagry, Lagos State and it provides practical tuition and grants certificates and diplomas to students, as well as preparing them for the professional examinations of Associate, Licentiate and Fellowship of the Trinity, Royal and London Schools of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the UK.

This music school boasts impressive facilities which include a 500-seat auditorium as well as modern boarding facilities for up to 200 students in the premises. Famous Nigerian singer, Asa, is an alumnus of this music school.

LANI STEPHENS MUSIC INSTITUTE 

This is a faith-based music school that was established in 1992 with the vision of imparting applied musical knowledge to people of all ages, social and racial groups. This music school is located at 602, Bauchi Ring Road, Cele Bridge, P.O. Box 1955, Jos, Plateau State Nigeria, with another centre in Abuja.

Admission exercise at Lani Stephens Music Institute is very rigorous and is very similar to what is obtainable when one is seeking university admission in the country. Courses offered at this music institute can last for up to two years. The courses include: Diploma in Sound Engineering, Musical Arts Education, Keyboard Instruments, etc.

GOODYTUNES ACADEMY

GoodyTunes Academy is one of the fastest growing music schools in Nigeria presently. It is located in Lekki, Lagos State, and it was established by Goodness Onuoha Chinyaka, a product of the MUSON School of Music in June 2019 and has since expanded to have a branch in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This music school teaches their students to play various musical instruments, ensuring that special care is taken in delivering quality music education to these students in order to help them rank as some of the best musicians in the country.