NISMCAA Founder Unveils Global Expansion Plans, With US Launch Set for Fall 2027

The National Inter-School Music Competition and Academic Award (NISMCAA), founded in Lagos in 2009, is preparing to take its program beyond Nigeria. Founder Olushola John Adebowale has outlined plans to expand into the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Ghana.

"For more than fifteen years, NISMCAA has shown what happens when young people are given a stage for their talent and their studies," the Founder said. "Now we want to give students everywhere that same opportunity."

The United States first

The expansion begins in the United States, with a full US launch planned for Fall 2027. Before then, NISMCAA will hold a launch event in Atlanta for the NISMCAA Music Academy. Parents, teachers, education board members, business leaders, children and the media will be invited to try the Academy for themselves and learn how the program works.

A Music Academy for every child

The NISMCAA Music Academy, at academy.nismcaa.com, is already live. It offers free lessons, including piano lessons, a virtual DJ course and the NISMCAA Music Ladder quiz game, with some premium services available by subscription.

"Not every child can reach a music school, but almost every family can reach a phone," the Founder said. "The Academy brings music education to them."

Building on a strong foundation

The expansion follows NISMCAA's 8th Edition Grand Finale, "Diversity in Unity," which was filmed by AIT and aired on Nigerian television stations, including TVC.

Doing it the right way

NISMCAA plans to send experienced team members abroad to train local teams. Before any work begins in a new country, the organization is studying that country's laws and procedures, including visas, child-safety checks and legal requirements. NISMCAA has written to the embassies and high commissions of its priority countries to ask for guidance.

"Children's safety comes first, everywhere we go," the Founder said. "We will follow every country's rules on children and education."

Get involved

Schools, parents, sponsors and partners who would like to be part of NISMCAA's next chapter can contact info@nismcaa.com.