By Ayomide Otitoju
BIGI and Fearless, in partnership with Soundcity OnTour, have transformed their ongoing campus tour into a growing student movement, combining music, entertainment, creativity and opportunities for emerging Nigerian artistes.
With 15 campuses already visited and five more stops remaining, the tour has attracted growing interest from students and institutions eager to experience the event.
The tour has so far reached campuses including Pan-Atlantic University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yaba College of Technology, the University of Lagos, University of Uyo, University of Calabar, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Port Harcourt, Niger Delta University and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Each stop has featured live performances, entertainment and opportunities for students and emerging artistes to showcase their talents.
At the University of Lagos, more than 5,000 students turned out despite heavy rainfall to watch performances by Qing Madi, Falz, Joeboy, Wande Coal and Mr P of P-Square. More than 25 emerging artistes also performed on the platform.
Brand Manager at BIGI, Biola Arionsola, said the turnout demonstrated the strong connection between the tour and Nigerian students.
“The event truly set the bar. The turnout and energy of the students were outstanding, even with the weather conditions,” she said.
Beyond the headline performances, the tour is also providing opportunities for emerging artistes through the BIGI Music competition, an initiative by Rite Foods to give young talents a platform to perform before live audiences, compete for cash prizes and pursue opportunities towards the national stage.
At Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Olaniyi Oluwakemi Abisola, popularly known as Abisola, emerged as the winner of the BIGI Music competition. Moses Yakubu Ibrahim, known as Bhig Moe, and Ibrahim Yakubu Binkalim, popularly known as Ibrahim Binkaly, finished as first and second runners-up respectively.
The three artistes shared a ₦1 million cash prize.
The initiative also provides a potential pathway beyond the campus competitions. Standout performers can progress to the national stage, where eventual winners will receive studio production, A&R mentorship led by Bankulli, Soundcity Radio exposure and professionally produced music videos.
For Rite Foods Limited, makers of BIGI Carbonated Soft Drinks and Fearless Energy Drink, the tour provides an opportunity to connect with young Nigerians through music, entertainment and platforms that support their creative ambitions.
The tour has featured performances from artistes including Teni, Falz, Iyanya, Qing Madi, DJ Spinall, Nasboi, Kunmie, Shoday, Guchhi, Priesst, Shine and TTW.
As the tour continues, students and institutions outside the campuses already visited have increasingly called for the experience to reach them, adding to the growing anticipation around the remaining stops.
With five campuses still to visit before the tour concludes in Abuja in October, BIGI and Fearless are set to continue taking music, talent, entertainment and opportunities to Nigerian students.
