Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has announced a major investment in the future of African music with the launch of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, a new initiative created to equip emerging creatives with access, mentorship and world class training. In partnership with Berklee College of Music, the foundation will host a fully funded four day intensive programme in Lagos for 100 selected participants.
The programme, titled Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program, will take place in Lagos from April 23rd–26th, 2026. It is spearheaded by Savage, a Berklee alumna (PDM ’07), and will bring Berklee instructors to Nigeria for the first time. Applications are open to musicians, producers, songwriters and other creatives across Africa, with the deadline set for Friday, 20 March 2026.
Announcing the initiative on Instagram, the foundation wrote:
“After years of building globally…
It’s time to build at home Introducing the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation.
A new initiative dedicated to empowering emerging African creatives through access, mentorship and world-class music education.
Stay tuned… BIG ANNOUNCEMENT today at 4PM WAT
#TIWASAVAGEMUSICFOUNDATION #TSMF”
In another post, the page stated:
“Internationally acclaimed artist Tiwa Savage has launched her own music foundation – returning to the place where her own journey began. The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, in partnership with Berklee College of Music, where she studied music, aims to train 100 emerging music creators in Nigeria. The initiative goes beyond performers, focusing on producers, composers, and behind-the-scenes talent.
Click the link in our bio to find out more.
#cnnafricanvoices”
The partnership was further detailed in a separate announcement:
“The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation and Berklee College of Music are proud to announce our new partnership, which will bring Berklee’s world-class music education to the city of Lagos, Nigeria, for the first time ever, from April 23rd-26th, 2026.
Spearheaded by Berklee alumna @TiwaSavage (PDM ‘07), the newest Berklee on the Road program, titled Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program, is made for Africa’s budding talent to gain hands-on experience in the music world and fully grasp the opportunities available to them on and off the stage. Over four days, participants will be given the opportunity and tools to shape the future of music across the continent.
To apply and learn more, visit the link in our bio, or comment “link” below to get the link sent to your inbox!
#BerkleeTSMF”
According to details released, the training will cover live performance, songwriting, music production and the business side of music, combining classroom instruction with hands on sessions and a final showcase.
One of the latest posts described the initiative as:
“A FREE 4-day intensive music programme for emerging African creatives, led by Berklee instructors and @tiwasavage Savage, designed to develop your skills in live performance, songwriting, music production, and the business of music.
Expect practical, hands-on sessions, personalised feedback to meet you at your current level and opportunities to expand your creative, technical and commercial abilities ending with a showcase of your work.
We welcome applications from musicians, producers, songwriters and creators across Africa.
Application Deadline: Friday 20 March 2026
Apply now via the link in bio
#BerkleeTSMF #TIWASAVAGEMUSICFOUNDATION #TSMF”
In a video shared via Instagram, Savage outlined her long term ambition for the foundation, saying:
“In 10 years time, i want the tiwa savage music foundation to be a global pipeline and bridge that connects African talent to global opportunities, a recognized institution, that consistently develops talents from Nigeria and across Africa. I don’t just want to launch artists, I want to build leaders, producers, executives, and owners who would shape the future of the industry. Our alumni’s will become film composers, label executives, and also mentors who will come back and reinvest in the next generation. If a young musician from a small neighborhood can say that the tiwa savage Music Foundation changed their life.”
She captioned the video:
“I’ve been lucky to have access in my journey. Now, through the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, I’m using everything I’ve learned to create the same for the next generation of African creatives like sound engineers, producers, executives, instrumentalists, songwriters and the whole ecosystem that supports music industry.
#BerkleeTSMF #TiwaSavageMusicFoundation #TSMF”
The launch comes at a time when African music continues to expand globally, with Nigeria positioned as one of the continent’s leading export markets. By focusing not only on performers but also on producers, engineers and music business professionals, the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation signals a broader push to strengthen the entire creative ecosystem from within.
Ademide Adebayo
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