When Joeboy was in JSS3, his classmates would chant his full name, “Akinfenwa Joseph”, before the school secretary even began reading the list of students owing fees. The humiliation cut deep enough that the young student told his parents he would never return to that school. But that embarrassment now fuels his mission The artist born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus has channeled those experiences into the Young Legend Foundation, the philanthropic arm of his record label, which just announced a ₦10 million scholarship fund targeting students in public tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The initiative, launched this November, will support 30 students across public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for the 2024/2025 academic session. Each beneficiary will receive an average of over ₦333,000 to cover tuition, accommodation, and other academic needs. It’s the kind of financial relief that might have changed everything for the younger version of Joeboy sitting in that JSS3 classroom.
“True success is not only about what we achieve for ourselves; it’s about creating opportunities for others to thrive,” Joeboy said in announcing the scholarship. “Through the Young Legend Foundation, we aim to support talented young Nigerians, helping them develop their skills, reach their potential, and contribute positively to society.”
The foundation represents more than financial assistance. According to the organization’s announcement, the scholarship program will provide access to mentorship, leadership development, and skill-building programs, recognizing that educational support extends beyond tuition payments.
Young Legend, Joeboy’s record label launched earlier this year in partnership with Warner Music Africa, has been building infrastructure beyond music. The label unveiled its first signee, Kvng Vidarr, in October, and now extends its mission to educational philanthropy. In previous interviews, Joeboy had shared his intention to start the foundation at his alma mater, emphasizing youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development as crucial responses to Nigeria’s employment challenges.
The foundation’s launch also includes outreach programs to secondary schools, with recent visits to educational institutions including Joeboy’s former school, bringing the mission full circle from that painful JSS3 experience to creating pathways for the next generation.
For students currently facing the same financial pressures that once threatened to derail Joeboy’s education, the Young Legend Foundation scholarship represents validation that their circumstances don’t define their potential, and that someone who sat in their position understands exactly what they’re facing.
The Young Legend Foundation scholarship application is open now. Students in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education can apply at HERE.
