Award-winning Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has unveiled the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, a new initiative designed to nurture and train emerging music talents across Africa.
The foundation was officially launched on March 9, 2026, during an event held at The Delborough Lagos. According to Savage, the initiative will focus on developing skills across several areas of the music ecosystem.
These include film scoring, music publishing, music therapy, production, and sound engineering.
Speaking at the launch, the singer described the project as a comprehensive platform for creative development within the industry.
“This is everything to do with music — film scoring, music publishing, music therapy, production, sound engineering,” she said.
Partnership with Berklee College of Music
The foundation’s first program will be implemented in partnership with Berklee College of Music.
Under the initiative, 100 creatives from across Africa will be selected for a four-day intensive training session scheduled to take place in Lagos from April 23 to April 26, 2026.
Participants will receive hands-on training in songwriting, live performance, music production, and the business aspects of the music industry. The program will be offered completely free of charge.
Savage explained that the goal of the foundation is to bridge the gap between talent and access to professional education and global opportunities.
“We don’t lack talents in Nigeria; we have so much talent,” she said. “What I want to do is create access so people with talent can find the right infrastructure and education, and also create a bridge to the rest of the world.”
Scholarships and Mentorship Opportunities
Beyond the training program, the foundation plans to provide mentorship, learning resources, and long-term career support for young creatives.
Savage revealed that some participants from the inaugural program will be selected for full scholarships to study at Berklee.
“We are going to be picking 100 talents, and they don’t have to pay anything,” she said. “Those selected will get world-class education in four days, and a few of them will receive full scholarships to Berklee, including accommodation.”
She encouraged aspiring creatives to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the program will run annually.
“Opportunity favours the prepared,” Savage said, urging applicants to continue preparing even if they are not selected in the first edition.
Industry Leaders Show Support
The launch event attracted several high-profile figures from Nigeria’s entertainment, business, and political sectors.
Among those in attendance were media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, talent manager Bose Ogulu, television personality Toke Makinwa, and musicians Darey Art Alade and Johnny Drille.
Other notable guests included entrepreneur Shade Okoya, business executive Florence Ita-Giwa, and cleric Bolaji Idowu.
Political and business leaders also showed their support, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Olasupo Olusi, Adaora Umeoji, and Festus Osifo.
Savage noted that partnerships will be essential to sustaining the foundation’s impact, calling for support from individuals and organisations interested in developing Africa’s creative industry.
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