Tiwa Savage Launches Music Foundation, Partners Berklee

Tiwa Savage has launched a new music foundation and partnered with Berklee College of Music to train 100 emerging Nigerian creatives in Lagos.

Nigerian Afrobeats star, Tiwa Savage, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at nurturing emerging African creatives with the launch of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, alongside a landmark partnership with Berklee College of Music.

The award-winning singer announced the initiative on Wednesday via her social media platforms, stating, “After years of building globally… It’s time to build at home.”

She described the foundation as a platform dedicated to empowering young African talents through access, mentorship, and world-class music education. As part of the initiative, Berklee will, for the first time, bring its training programme to Lagos through the “Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme.”

In an interview with CNN, Savage noted that although Afrobeats has achieved global recognition, the industry still lacks the structural support needed for long-term sustainability.

“Afrobeats has captured the world’s attention, but attention alone is not enough to sustain an industry. Talent is universal — but access is not,” she said.

The foundation is designed to bridge that gap by supporting not just singers, but also producers, composers, sound engineers, and music business professionals—key players Savage believes are essential to building a thriving creative economy.

Its first major project, “Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme,” will see Berklee faculty travel to Lagos from April 23 to 26, 2026, to host a fully funded four-day training for 100 emerging Nigerian music creators—marking the institution’s first-ever programme in West Africa.

Savage highlighted the value of short, immersive training, explaining that such experiences can open creatives to new possibilities within the music industry.

Participants will receive hands-on training in music production, songwriting, harmony, ear training, and sound engineering, alongside sessions on music publishing, copyright, and entertainment law. The programme will conclude with live ensemble performances.

Top participants may also be considered for scholarships to study at Berklee in Boston or enroll in its online programmes, positioning the Lagos initiative as a gateway to global opportunities.

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Savage revealed that the foundation was inspired by her personal journey, noting that international music education—often costing between $40,000 and $60,000 annually—is out of reach for many African talents.

Having once benefited from a scholarship to Berklee herself, she said the experience reshaped her understanding of music and the industry.

“That experience changed how I saw music. It made me realise that talent alone isn’t enough. Structure, education, and exposure are what allow creatives to compete globally,” she added.

With the launch of the foundation, Savage aims to shift focus from global success to building sustainable structures that will support the next generation of African creatives.