At the heart of the foundation’s debut efforts is the Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program, a fully funded, four-day training experience set to take place in Lagos from April 23–26, 2026. Faculty from Berklee will travel to Nigeria to lead 100 emerging music creators through an immersive curriculum blending theory with hands-on practice. The event marks Berklee’s first-ever program in West Africa — a milestone for a region increasingly shaping the global music economy.
From Global Spotlight to Structural Support
“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.
The Lagos intensive will cover a broad spectrum of music disciplines, including production, songwriting, sound engineering, harmony, and ear training — the skill of identifying pitches, chords, and melodies by sound. Participants will also receive instruction in music publishing, copyright law, and entertainment law, equipping them with knowledge often overlooked in emerging markets.
“You’d be surprised how much you can learn in four days,” Savage said. “It gives you a taste of what’s possible and exposes you to parts of music you may not even realize you’re drawn to.”
The program will culminate in live ensemble performances, with standout participants potentially identified for scholarships to study at Berklee’s Boston campus or pursue online coursework. Organizers say the goal is not merely a one-off workshop, but a launchpad into long-term global careers.
Closing the Access Gap
For Savage, the foundation is both personal and urgent. As a young artist, she attended Berklee on scholarship — an opportunity she credits with transforming her understanding of the music industry. Beyond performance, she was introduced to the mechanics that power the business: production, engineering, publishing, and film scoring.
“That experience changed how I saw music,” she said. “It made me realize that talent alone isn’t enough. Structure, education, and exposure are what allow creatives to compete globally.”
With annual tuition at leading international music schools ranging from $40,000 to $60,000 — excluding living expenses — formal training remains out of reach for most aspiring African creatives. By fully funding the Lagos intensive, the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation aims to dismantle those financial barriers.
Investing in the Entire Ecosystem
Savage is clear that her vision extends beyond artists. The foundation is designed to nurture producers, composers, engineers, and music business professionals — the interconnected roles that sustain a thriving creative economy.
“The music industry is a value chain,” she said. “You can be the most talented artist in the world, but without the people who create, capture, protect, and monetize music, there is no industry.”
The timing is significant. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), recorded music revenues in sub-Saharan Africa surpassed $110 million in 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing regions globally. Afrobeats streams on Spotify have surged by more than 500% over the past five years, while Nigeria — with a median age of around 18 — remains one of Africa’s largest music export markets.
Yet Savage warns that visibility without institutional support can leave artists economically vulnerable.
“We have the world’s attention now,” she said. “But education is what turns visibility into empowerment. It gives creatives the tools to move from being just talent to becoming leaders, innovators, and stakeholders in the global industry.”
A Long-Term Vision
Beyond the Lagos program, the foundation plans to award full scholarships for Nigerian students to study in Boston and, ultimately, establish a permanent music school in Nigeria — a move Savage describes as the broader mission.
“To build something that outlives me — something that creates structure, opportunity, and ownership for future generations of African creatives.”
Applications for the Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program open February 24, 2026, and close March 20, 2026. The program is fully funded, with no tuition required for selected participants — an investment designed to ensure that access, not income, determines who gets a seat at the table.