Global Afrobeats superstar, Tiwa Savage, has launched the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, kicking off a groundbreaking initiative to nurture the next generation of African music talent.
The foundation’s first program, the Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program, will run from April 23–26, 2026, bringing faculty from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, USA to Lagos, Nigeria, for a fully funded, four-day training for 100 emerging Nigerian music creators.
This marks the first-ever Berklee event in West Africa and a milestone for a region rapidly shaping the global music industry.
“Afrobeats has captured the world’s attention, but attention alone is not enough to sustain an industry. Talent is universal, but access is not,” Savage told CNN.
The intensive combines practical training with music theory, covering areas such as music production, songwriting, sound engineering, harmony, and ear training, the skill to identify pitches, chords, and melodies by ear.
It also includes music publishing, copyright, and entertainment law, giving participants a comprehensive view of the industry.
“You’d be surprised how much you can learn in four days,” Savage said. “It gives you a taste of what’s possible and exposes you to parts of music you may not even realize you’re drawn to.”
The program will culminate in live ensemble performances, with standout participants potentially earning scholarships to study at Berklee in Boston or through online courses.
Savage emphasizes that the program is meant to be a springboard for long-term education, global careers, and sustainable opportunities in music.
The foundation was inspired by both her personal experience and the urgent need for access to quality music education.
Tuition at leading international music schools can range from $40,000 to $60,000 annually, excluding living expenses, putting formal education out of reach for most young creatives in Nigeria. By covering all costs, the foundation aims to close this gap.
“It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years,” Savage said.
Savage credits her own Berklee scholarship with reshaping her career.
“That experience changed how I saw music,” she said. “It made me realize that talent alone isn’t enough. Structure, education, and exposure are what allow creatives to compete globally.”
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation targets not only artists but also producers, composers, engineers, and music business professionals.
“The music industry is a value chain,” she said. “You can be the most talented artist in the world, but without the people who create, capture, protect, and monetize music, there is no industry. If we want African music to last five, 10, 20 years from now, we have to invest in the entire ecosystem.”
Sub-Saharan Africa is now one of the fastest-growing regions for recorded music, with revenues surpassing $110 million in 2024, according to the IFPI.
Afrobeats streams on Spotify have increased by more than 500% in the last five years. Nigeria, with a median age of about 18, stands out as a major music export hub.
Savage cautions that without structured education, African creators risk remaining visible globally but economically vulnerable.
“We have the world’s attention now,” she said. “But education is what turns visibility into empowerment. It gives creatives the tools to move from being just talent to becoming leaders, innovators, and stakeholders in the global industry.”
Looking ahead, the foundation plans to award additional scholarships to study at Berklee in Boston and eventually establish a permanent music school in Nigeria.
“That’s the bigger vision,” Savage said. “To build something that outlives me — something that creates structure, opportunity, and ownership for future generations of African creatives.”
Applications for the intensive program open February 24, 2026, and close March 20, 2026. Accepted participants will attend fully funded, with no tuition required.
