Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged sustained support for Nigeria’s entertainment and creative industries, stressing that creativity is a continuous process that never ends and that new talents will always emerge.
The Lagos State governor made the remarks during the launch of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation by Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu emphasised that creativity is constantly evolving and cannot be exhausted, noting that the growth of ideas, music and cultural expression is an ongoing process.
“Creativity is creativity. Every year and every day, it grows. There’s a new idea, new music and new dance. So you can never end creativity. Where she ends is where some other people will start from,” the governor said.
According to him, the dynamic nature of the creative sector means that governments, institutions and stakeholders must continue to support talents and provide opportunities for emerging artists to thrive.
Sanwo-Olu noted that while established artists have achieved remarkable success, there are still many young creatives across the continent who require access to training, mentorship and industry exposure to develop their potential.
“But we believe she still has a lot to learn and to pass on. It’s a moving process; you never get to the end of creativity, and that is why we must open our hearts and minds and continue to support them,” he added.
The governor commended Tiwa Savage for establishing a platform aimed at discovering and nurturing new African music talents, describing the initiative as a reflection of her desire to give others the opportunities she once received.
“She is one of the country’s best. More importantly, what I see in this and why we’re supporting it is that she’s looked at how she has grown, but she knows there are so many other artists and creatives who probably have not had the opportunities she has had,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He noted that the creation of the foundation represents an important step towards expanding opportunities for aspiring musicians and creatives within Africa’s rapidly growing entertainment industry.
Sanwo-Olu explained that beyond celebrating artistic achievements, initiatives such as the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation are essential for building professional capacity within the industry.
“What she’s using the foundation for is to begin to develop capacity, training, and give them an opportunity to get training at the highest level, for music, for production, for mixing, for whatever it is in that space,” he stated.
According to the governor, the creative industry continues to expand globally, and providing professional training across different aspects of music production and performance will help position African creatives to compete internationally.
He added that the initiative is not limited to a single genre or style of music but is designed to accommodate diverse forms of artistic expression.
“It’s not only one type of music, but different possible types of music. It’s such a great thing when you can see yourself and want to replicate yourself in several other people. I think it is commendable,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor also highlighted the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to support the creative sector through training programmes and partnerships with leading industry institutions.
According to him, the state has consistently invested in the development of young creatives across music, fashion and film through various initiatives and collaborations.
“The fact that I’m here is a lot of endorsement; that is supporting. But more importantly, year in, year out, we train thousands of people in music, fashion and Nollywood,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu further explained that the government works with several training institutions to equip young Nigerians with the skills needed to succeed in the creative economy.
“Through institutions like Del York and Ogidi Studios, several thousands have been trained and we even give grants,” he said.
He added that the state government also partners with established industry platforms to provide funding for professional training programmes.
“We go to some known training institutions and provide funding. For example, EbonyLife is one of those platforms we’ve used to train people, and we pay for their curriculum and training needs. But I’m also here to support her and lend support to others,” the governor stated.
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation was officially unveiled on March 9, 2026, at The Delborough Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen access to professional education within Africa’s creative sector.
The initiative aims to discover and train emerging African music talents while improving access to industry knowledge, infrastructure and global opportunities.
According to the organisers, the foundation will focus on several aspects of the music ecosystem, including songwriting, music production, sound engineering, music publishing, film scoring and music therapy.
Its programmes are designed to help bridge the gap between raw talent and the professional resources required to succeed in the global music industry.
The foundation’s first major programme will select 100 African creatives for a free four-day training session scheduled to take place in Lagos from April 23 to April 26, 2026.
The training will be organised in partnership with Berklee College of Music, Savage’s alma mater, with faculty members expected to lead sessions on songwriting, performance, music production and the business side of the music industry.
Some participants in the programme may also receive full scholarships to study at Berklee, including accommodation support.
Applications are currently open to musicians, producers, songwriters and other professionals within the music industry, with the deadline set for March 20, 2026.
Beyond the inaugural training programme, the foundation plans to provide mentorship opportunities, learning resources and long-term career development pathways aimed at nurturing the next generation of African music professionals.
