Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has launched the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, an initiative aimed at discovering and training emerging African music talents while expanding access to world-class education in the creative industry.
The foundation was officially unveiled on March 9, 2026, during a high-profile launch event at The Delborough Lagos. The gathering attracted prominent figures from the entertainment industry, business community and public sector.
Speaking at the event, the 46-year-old music star said the initiative would focus on building skills across several areas of the music ecosystem beyond performance.
“This is everything to do with music, film scoring, music publishing, music therapy, production, sound engineering,” the award-winning singer said.
According to the singer, the foundation seeks to bridge the gap between raw talent and access to professional training and global opportunities.
“We don’t lack talents in Nigeria, we have so much talents. What I want to do is to be able to create access so that people that have the talent can find the right infrastructure, education and can also be a bridge and pipeline to the rest of the world,” Savage said.
As part of its inaugural programme, the foundation will select 100 African creatives who will undergo a four-day intensive training programme in Lagos from April 23 to 26, 2026.
The initiative is being organised in partnership with Berklee College of Music, Savage’s alma mater, which will bring its faculty members to Nigeria for the programme.
Participants will receive hands-on training in songwriting, live performance, music production and the business side of the industry. The training will be free for selected applicants.
The Somebody’s Son singer explained that the initiative was inspired by her own educational journey at Berklee, where she studied in the mid-2000s.
“We are going to be picking a 100 talents, and we are paying for this foundation, they don’t have to pay anything. The 100 that gets chosen will get world class education in four days and we will pick a few of them that we will actually sponsor the full scholarship to go to Berklee and accommodation,” she said.
Encouraging aspiring creatives to apply, she added, “My advice is to use this opportunity…opportunity favours the prepared. This is the first of many years; even if you don’t get it this year you will have the chance to prepare for next year.”
Applications for the programme are open to musicians, producers, songwriters and other creatives across Africa until March 20, 2026.
Savage said the foundation is designed to support not only artistes but also professionals behind the scenes such as producers, sound engineers, instrumentalists and music executives.
She emphasised that music education and access to industry networks can significantly shape creative careers.
Reflecting on her own experience studying music abroad, Savage noted that exposure to structured systems helped her better understand the business side of the industry, including ownership and professional development.
The foundation also aims to provide mentorship, training resources and long-term career pathways for young African creatives.
Speaking about collaboration with other organisations, Savage stressed the importance of partnerships in sustaining the foundation’s work.
“I don’t think you can ever have enough foundations. We are all trying to make Nigeria and the world a better place. Every foundation needs funds and we need funds; we are also trying to partner.”
Guest Appearances
The launch event drew several notable personalities from entertainment, business and public life.
Among those in attendance were media mogul Mo Abudu, talent manager Bose Ogulu, television personality Toke Makinwa, musician Darey Art Alade and socialite Yeni Kuti.
Also present were singer Johnny Drille and his wife, Layal Holm, entrepreneur Shade Okoya, business executive Florence Ita-Giwa, music executive Soso Soberekon, reality TV star Sultana, and cleric Bolaji Idowu.
Political and business leaders in attendance included Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Industry, Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, and Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the governor described Tiwa Savage as one of the country’s finest artistes and re-emphasised the importance of supporting the creative industry for Nigeria’s development.
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