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March 4, 2026
Global Afrobeats star and fashion icon Tiwa Savage is launching a fully funded music program for emerging artists in Nigeria through the newly established Tiwa Savage Music Foundation.
The program will be delivered in partnership with the world-renowned Boston-based Berklee College of Music, marking the institution’s first-of-its-kind program in Africa. Designed for performers, songwriters, producers, and sound engineers, the initiative gives handpicked creatives the chance to learn directly from Berklee faculty and veteran industry professionals.
Over four days, participants will take part in workshops, masterclasses, and collaborative studio sessions focused on songwriting, music production, performance, and the business side of the music industry. The curriculum will also explore topics such as intellectual property, publishing, branding, and navigating the global music marketplace.
Savage said the goal is to open doors for talented young artists. By partnering with Berklee, the program aims to bridge local talent with international expertise and strengthen Africa’s growing influence in the global music industry.
Tiwa Savage’s Berklee Scholarship
Before Savage became the Queen of Afro-Beats, she was a backup singer for icons like Whitney Houston and Mary J. Blige, and a songwriter for R&B stars Brandy and Fantasia. Her talent was indisputable, and it earned her a scholarship to Berklee to study music professionally, from which she graduated in 2007. There she learned the full scope of the music business and gained the confidence to launch her solo career.
Afrobeats star and fashion icon Tiwa Savage
In 2010, Savage moved back to Nigeria and signed a record deal with 323 Entertainment (later known as Mavin Records). She released her first award-winning song, “Kele Kele,” in 2010, followed by “Love Me (3x)” featuring Wizkid in 2011, and then released her first studio album, “Once Upon a Time,” in 2013. Features included Nigerian idols Don Jazzy and 2face Idibia. The album became an instant classic, showcasing Savage’s talent, range, and musical sophistication.
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Savage consistently released songs that quickly became hits. Her second album, “R.E.D.,” was released in 2015, featuring artists like Wizkid and Olamide. In 2018, she was named the Best African Act at the MTV European Awards, making history as the first woman to win in the category. In the same year, she was hand-picked by Beyonce to write for the Lion King soundtrack, releasing the song: “Keys to the Kingdom.”
Expanding career beyond music
Edward Israel-Ayide, who witnessed Savage’s early growth, described her as a ‘transformer’ in an interview with Forbes. “What stands out is not just her success but how she has consistently adapted and evolved at every turn, emerging stronger from every challenge to become the industry’s ultimate comeback queen.”
Savage expanded beyond music and, in 2024, became the executive producer of the Amazon Prime film Water and Garri. She shaped the film’s direction and was the lead singer on the soundtrack. This year, she has ambitions to branch out into skincare, fashion, and, most importantly, education.
Berklee Education in Nigeria
Having spent over a decade in the industry, the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation is a natural step for the Queen of Afro-Beats. Going beyond training performers, the Berklee program aims to empower more young Nigerians in music production, sound engineering, and film scoring.
“Music changed my life. But talent alone isn’t enough, especially when access is limited. I want to build something that opens people’s eyes to the full scope of what’s possible in music,” Savage announced on her website.
The four-day intensive program is set to enroll 100 upcoming Nigerian artists for a fully funded training. Taking place from the 23rd to the 26th of April, the program is more than a once-off experience; it will identify candidates for scholarships to Berklee or online coursework modules.
The foundation’s future goals include establishing a permanent music school in Nigeria, a long-term investment in the industry’s expansion.
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The Global Afro-Beats Craze
Spotify data shows that Afrobeat grew by more than 500% between 2017 and 2022, with Nigeria boasting many top Afrobeat artists. Lagos, followed by London, Paris, and Nairobi, is the city that streams Afro-Beats the most, proving that the sound that emerged in Nigeria has gone global. Collaborations with artists in genres such as Amapiano, Gqom, and R&B attracted new fan bases through constant innovation and fusion.
“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.
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Accessibility for African Artists
Despite the global success of Afro-Beats, “African parents don’t see creative jobs as a career,” Paige said to the BBC. Often, young adults in Africa are encouraged to pursue more lucrative and serious careers in law, engineering, or medicine. Even with supportive parents, annual tuition at international music institutions can range from $40,000 to $60,000, pricing out many young African artists who dare to chase their dreams.
With the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, Savage is nurturing the Nigerian music scene by giving emerging artists the same opportunity she had: formalised music education. The foundation’s launch also comes at a time when Afrobeats continues to expand its global reach, with African artists increasingly collaborating with international labels, producers, and streaming platforms.
Interested candidates can apply for the program up until the 20th of March.
