Don Jazzy's Tech Scholarship Faces Backlash Over Fees

Don Jazzy, the music executive and founder of Mavin Records, announced the Don Jazzy Tech Scholarship 2027 on October 26, 2026, in partnership with TS Academy. The scholarship offers eligible applicants up to 100% off tuition for courses valued at up to ₦447,000 in fields such as AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity.

Additional benefits include 50 free laptops, data assistance for 500 selected students, and internship and job placement support, with applications open until November 30, 2026. Controversy arose when a viral post criticized the scholarship for requiring an application fee between ₦26,000 and ₦26,500, which successful applicants must pay at a discounted rate.

Critics argue that this fee alters the nature of a scholarship, suggesting the initiative resembles a commercial course rather than genuine educational support. Defenders of the scholarship claim the fee serves as a commitment mechanism, filtering out unserious applicants while maintaining that the overall cost remains significantly lower than full tuition.