Internationally acclaimed singer and Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage launches her music foundation, “Tiwa Savage Music Foundation,” in Lagos, Nigeria. In partnership with her alma mater, the Berklee College of Music in Boston, the philanthropic initiative is committed to discovering, developing, and empowering the next generation of African music creatives.

For the first time ever, Berklee comes to Lagos with the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program empowering Africa’s next generation of talent.

Apply Here – https://t.co/YndRfhRbIc#BerkleeTSMF pic.twitter.com/PMgOge3vTl

— Tiwa Savage Music Foundation (@TSMFOFFICIAL) February 25, 2026

For an artist who has built a successful career around the globe, Tiwa Savage believes that the music industry is far bigger than just the artist alone. Behind every local and global hit are producers, songwriters, sound engineers, music executives, and creative professionals who shape the culture and sound.

Yet in Africa, access to structured, world-class training for these careers is grossly limited. The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation is dedicated to fixing that gap by providing access and building pathways not only for singers but for the broader ecosystem that sustains the music industry.

“Afrobeats has grown globally, and I felt a responsibility to help build a structure behind the sound. Not just spotlighting the artistes—this foundation is really my way of turning gratitude into opportunity and investing in the ecosystem that will sustain our legacy. Music opened doors for me. I’ve always seen how many talented creatives never really get access to training, mentorship, and industry pathways,” Tiwa Savage tells Forbes Africa in an interview.

At the unveiling of the foundation, Tiwa Savage made it clear in her announcement post that this was bigger than philanthropy: it was about reframing possibility. For her, music has never been limited to the stage or the charts. It lives in film scores that shape emotion, in global campaigns that define brands, and in therapeutic spaces where sound becomes healing. Yet, many of these career paths remain invisible to the very creatives who could thrive within them.

With this foundation, she hopes to shift that narrative. The goal is not only to inspire but also to equip, expand access, provide mentorship, and offer structural support that allows African music creatives to explore sustainable careers beyond the spotlight. It is about building infrastructure around talent, not just celebrating it.

Reflecting on her own journey, Tiwa spoke from a place of gratitude. After years of global success and cultural impact, she sees the initiative as a full-circle moment—an intentional investment in the next generation. What began as a long-held vision has now materialised into a platform that turns exposure into opportunity. And for her, the timing feels right.

She added that her education at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where she received a partial scholarship and graduated in 2007, provided her with “world-class training and creative confidence.” And partnering with her alma mater would bring “credibility and global standards” to the initiative.

The foundation’s inaugural initiative, Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program, will run from April 23–26, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. Designed to connect Africa’s growing music economy with global education standards, the four-day programme will train 100 students across live performance, songwriting, music production, and music business.

The intensive is structured to meet participants at their current level while strengthening their technical skills, creative development, and commercial understanding of the industry. The partners also disclosed there would be no tuition cost for accepted participants, though attendees will cover their travel and accommodation in the city.

“I don’t even think 100 is enough. Africa has so much talent; I don’t even know how we are going to reduce it to just 100 students in the first program, but we are starting with 100. It’s going to be a four-day intensive program combining theory with practice. I love the fact that we are awarding scholarships to students to actually go to Boston at the end of the program and earn an undergraduate degree from Berklee. Not everyone will be able to fly all the way there. Eventually, I want to build an actual institution here in Africa,” she told Forbes Africa.

Berklee’s President Jim Lucchese added, “The Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program, our first-ever Berklee on the Road in Nigeria, will continue to increase access to Berklee’s curriculum around the world through the generosity and collaborative spirit of one of our most accomplished and dedicated alumni. The program presents a tremendous and unique opportunity for global artists; I look forward to seeing the artistry and creativity that results from these exciting workshops.”

Jason Camelio, Assistant Vice President for Berklee Global Programs and Partnerships, also disclosed that the team stands as an intermediary between the Berklee community.

“These educational experiences are best accomplished with the knowledge and expertise of leading artists and alumni. There is no better way to connect with the Nigerian music community than with Tiwa Savage. We see this program and relationship as a historic pathway forward to enrich our educational and artistic experiences, inspire our students and teachers, and open doors for the next generation of emerging artists.”

The Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program will run daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with applications open until March 20, 2026. The call is extended to not only musicians but producers, songwriters, and creators across Africa.

The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation is focused on expanding the horizon of what a career in music is by equipping young Africans with the exposure, access, and resources needed to pursue diverse pathways within the industry.

But she reckons that the success of the foundation would be measured by how many participants secure internships, paid jobs, or professional placements, and by the growth of African-led ownership in the industry.

To apply or learn more, visit https://www.berklee.edu/berkleeontheroad/berklee-in-nigeria