Tiwa Savage is turning her success into opportunity for the next generation.
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation has awarded 18 young Nigerian music talents fully funded scholarships to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, following the conclusion of the inaugural Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme.
Over $2.1 Million in Scholarships
According to organizers, the scholarships are valued at more than $2.1 million, making it one of the biggest music education initiatives launched by an African artist in recent years.
The five-day programme:
- ran from April 22–26 in Lagos
- received over 2,100 applications
- selected 120 emerging artists, producers, songwriters, and music professionals for intensive training sessions.
A Landmark Moment for African Music Education
The programme marked Berklee’s first major on-ground engagement in Nigeria and West Africa, with participants receiving:
- workshops
- mentorship
- live performance training
- songwriting and production classes
- music business education.
The finale concert at the National Theatre in Lagos drew more than 1,000 attendees and featured performances from participants alongside guest appearances from:
- Teni
- Loud Urban Choir.
Tiwa Savage on Building Infrastructure
Tiwa Savage described the initiative as bigger than charity:
“This is what building infrastructure is, this is what creating access is.”
As a Berklee alumna herself, Savage said the goal of the foundation is to connect African talent with world-class music education opportunities.
For years, African music conversations have focused heavily on:
- streaming numbers
- global hits
- chart success
But initiatives like this shift attention toward:
- education
- infrastructure
- long-term talent development
Instead of only exporting stars, the industry is beginning to invest in building systems that create them.
18 scholarships. Over $2 million awarded.
A direct pipeline from Lagos to Berklee.
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation isn’t just celebrating African talent, It’s investing in the future people who will shape the next era of global music.
