Nigerian Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has launched a new initiative aimed at nurturing emerging African creatives with the unveiling of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation and a landmark partnership that will bring the Berklee College of Music to Lagos for the first time.
The 46-year-old singer announced the foundation on her social media platforms on Wednesday, describing it as “a new initiative dedicated to empowering emerging African creatives through access, mentorship and world-class music education.”
She added that “for the first time ever, Berklee comes to Lagos with the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme, empowering Africa’s next generation of talent.”
Berklee College of Music, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is the world’s largest independent college of contemporary music, offering programmes in jazz, modern American music, and genres such as rock, hip hop, and reggae.
In an interview with CNN, Savage explained that while Afrobeats has gained global prominence, the industry needs stronger structural support to remain sustainable.
“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 access gap.
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation will support not only vocalists and performers but also producers, composers, sound engineers, and music business professionals, key areas needed to build a durable creative economy across Africa.
The foundation’s first project, the Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme, will take place from April 23 to 26, 2026, in Lagos.
Berklee faculty will host a fully funded four-day training for 100 emerging Nigerian music creators, marking the college’s first-ever event in West Africa.
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The programme will combine music theory with practical applications, including training in music production, songwriting, harmony, ear training, sound engineering, and sessions on music publishing, copyright, and entertainment law.
It will conclude with live ensemble performances. Outstanding participants may be considered for future scholarships to study at Berklee in Boston or enrol in its online courses.
Savage highlighted the impact of focused, short-term training and the need for accessible music education.
She noted that tuition at leading international music schools can range from $40,000 to $60,000 annually, excluding living costs, which often places formal education out of reach for many talented African creatives.
Reflecting on her own experience, Savage said she benefited from a scholarship to Berklee as a young artist, which reshaped her understanding of the music 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 said.
With the launch of the foundation and the upcoming intensive programme in Lagos, Savage aims to extend the same opportunities she received to the next generation of African creatives, focusing on building sustainable structures at home.