In addition to announcing the establishment of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation and a historic collaboration that will bring the esteemed Berklee College of Music to Lagos for the first time, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Tiwa Savage has unveiled a new initiative to support up-and-coming African artists.
“After years of building globally… It’s time to build at home,” the 46-year-old singer said on social media on Wednesday.
“For the first time, Berklee comes to Lagos with the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme, empowering Africa’s next generation of talent,” she said, introducing the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation as “a new initiative dedicated to empowering emerging African creatives through access, mentorship and world-class music education.”
The largest independent college of contemporary music in the world, Berklee College of Music, is situated in Boston, Massachusetts, and is well-known for its programmes in jazz, modern American music, and a variety of other genres, such as rock, hip hop, reggae, and more.
The singer of “Ma Lo” clarified in a CNN interview that although Afrobeats has become more well-known worldwide, the sector still needs more structural support to be viable.
Although Afrobeats has gained international attention, an industry cannot be sustained by attention alone. “Access is not universal, but talent is,” she stated.
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation aims to close that access gap, CNN reports.
In addition to helping singers and performers, the foundation will target producers, composers, sound engineers, and music industry professionals—sectoral areas that Savage believes are essential to creating a sustainable creative economy throughout Africa.
From April 23 to 26, 2026, Berklee faculty will travel to Lagos as part of the foundation’s first major project, called Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme, to conduct a four-day training for 100 up-and-coming Nigerian musicians that is fully funded.
This is the first time Berklee has ever held an event in West Africa.
Saying, “You’d be surprised how much you can learn in four days,” Savage emphasised the value of brief, targeted training. It introduces you to aspects of music that you might not even be aware you’re drawn to and gives you a taste of what’s possible.
The rigorous curriculum will combine real-world, practical application with music theory.
In addition to sessions on music publishing, copyright, and various facets of entertainment law, participants will receive instruction in music production, songwriting, harmony, ear training, and sound engineering.
Live ensemble performances will mark the end of the four-day programme.
The Lagos programme is positioned as a gateway to long-term global opportunities rather than a one-time workshop, and exceptional participants may be eligible for future scholarships to study at Berklee in Boston or enrol in its online courses.
The foundation was born out of a sense of urgency and personal experience, Savage told CNN.
She pointed out that, excluding living expenses, tuition at prestigious international music schools can range from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. For many gifted young Africans, this financial burden makes formal music education unaffordable.
“I’ve wanted to do that for years,” she remarked.
As a young artist, Savage herself once received a scholarship to Berklee, which she attributes to changing the way she views the field.
“That encounter altered my perspective on music,” she remarked. It helped me realise that skill is insufficient on its own. Creatives are able to compete on a global scale thanks to exposure, education, and structure.
The award-winning singer is now looking to give the next generation the same opportunity with the establishment of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation and the upcoming intensive programme in Lagos, moving from creating international recognition to creating sustainable structures at home.
