By Elegbede Abiodun
Berklee programme set to provide participants with instruction in music production, songwriting etc
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has unveiled the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, a new initiative designed to nurture emerging African creatives, alongside a landmark partnership bringing Berklee College of Music to Lagos for the first time.
The 46-year-old singer announced the initiative on her social media on Wednesday, declaring: “After years of building globally… It’s time to build at home.”
She described the foundation as “dedicated to empowering emerging African creatives through access, mentorship and world-class music education.”
As part of the launch, the Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme will take place from April 23 to 26, 2026, offering fully funded, four-day training for 100 Nigerian music creators.
Berklee College of Music, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is renowned globally for contemporary music education across genres including jazz, rock, hip hop, reggae and more.
In an interview with CNN, Tiwa Savage emphasised that while Afrobeats has gained global prominence, sustainable growth requires structural support.
“Talent is universal — but access is not,” she said, explaining that the foundation aims to bridge the gap.
The programme will provide participants with instruction in music production, songwriting, harmony, ear training, sound engineering, music publishing, copyright, and entertainment law.
The four-day initiative will conclude with live ensemble performances, and outstanding participants may be considered for scholarships to study at Berklee in Boston or its online courses.
Savage also highlighted the financial barriers to formal music education, noting that annual tuition at leading international schools can cost between $40,000 and $60,000, excluding living expenses. She credited her own Berklee scholarship with transforming her understanding of the industry.
“It made me realise that talent alone isn’t enough. Structure, education, and exposure are what allow creatives to compete globally,” Savage said.
She hopes the foundation will offer the same opportunity to Africa’s next generation of music professionals, extending beyond performers to producers, composers, sound engineers, and music business specialists.
With the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation and the Berklee intensive programme, the award-winning singer is shifting focus from global acclaim to building sustainable structures for Africa’s creative economy at home.
