Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has launched the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation to train and support emerging music talents in Nigeria. The initiative will provide specialised training and global exposure for 100 young creatives selected for a four-day programme organised in partnership with Berklee College of Music.
Savage unveiled the foundation on Monday evening in Lagos, describing it as an important step toward developing young talent and strengthening infrastructure within Nigeria’s creative industry.
The launch event, held at The Delborough Lagos, drew celebrities, music industry leaders and government officials who gathered to celebrate the new initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of creatives.
Among the notable guests were Don Jazzy, Mo Abudu, Johnny Drille and Cobhams Asuquo. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Daisy Danjuma and Shade Okoya were also present at the event.
Speaking during the launch, Savage explained that the foundation was created to address the lack of structured education and professional infrastructure available to many young talents in Nigeria’s music ecosystem.
“We have so much talent in Nigeria, but we must build infrastructure and invest in education so that when people see our talent, they also see access,” she said.
According to her, the programme is designed to go beyond performance and focus on several important areas of the music industry that are often overlooked by emerging creatives.
She said participants will receive training in areas such as film scoring, music publishing, music therapy, music production and sound engineering.
Savage noted that the goal of the foundation is to equip young creatives with the knowledge and professional exposure needed to succeed in different aspects of the music business.
She also revealed that the first cohort of the programme will include 100 selected young talents who will undergo an intensive four-day training programme.
The training, she explained, will be delivered in collaboration with Berklee College of Music, one of the world’s leading institutions for contemporary music education.
Savage said the opportunity provided through the programme has already been fully sponsored, urging the selected participants to make the most of the training.
“The opportunity is already paid for. So, my advice is to use it wisely because opportunity favours the prepared,” she said.
She added that the programme is expected to run annually, giving more young creatives across the country the chance to benefit from the initiative in future editions.
“This is the first of many years. If you don’t get in this year, you will have the chance to prepare for the next editions,” she said.
Savage also emphasised the importance of collaboration between the creative sector and government institutions in strengthening Nigeria’s growing entertainment industry.
“In anything you do, you will always need the support and blessing of the government,” she said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who attended the launch event, praised the initiative and expressed his support for Savage’s effort to invest in young Nigerian talents.
“You know what it is about. Today is her day. She’s one of our best, so I have to support her,” the governor said.
Nigerian singer and producer Johnny Drille also commended Savage for creating opportunities that could help shape the future of the country’s music industry.
“Tiwa has been an amazing artiste for over a decade, and it is inspiring to see her bring something incredible to the Nigerian music scene,” he said.
Drille said initiatives like the foundation are important for improving professionalism and creativity within the industry.
Media entrepreneur Mo Abudu also described the project as a significant step toward nurturing the next generation of music talents in Nigeria.
“I’m really inspired to celebrate with my darling Tiwa Savage tonight. I have known her for years, and we have worked on several projects,” she said.
According to Abudu, the foundation will help create more opportunities for young creatives who are seeking careers in different areas of the music industry.
“If you can think it, you can do it,” she advised aspiring creatives.
Pastor Bolaji Idowu said the foundation would bring hope and opportunities to many young people looking to build careers in the creative sector.
“It will bring smiles to people and provide the right strategy for rising in the industry,” he said.
