Launched in February, the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, in collaboration with Berklee College of Music, has completed the inaugural edition, awarding 2.1 million dollars in scholarships to 18 students. The program opened its application portal on the 10th of March, 2026, and during the course of five days from April 22nd-26th, 120 chosen participants accessed world-class training. 

This selection of burgeoning artists, songwriters, producers, and music executives experienced interactive sessions melded in Berklee’s faculty curriculum through workshops, collaborative sessions, and mentorship. Other experiential forms spanned live performance, songwriting, music production, and the thriving music business. 

In keeping with Tiwa’s vision for the music foundation to bridge the gap between talents and accessible learning opportunities, she was exhilarated to have achieved a mind-blowing maiden edition. “Seeing these young musicians take the stage at the National Theatre was a deeply emotional and proud moment for me,” she expressed.  “When we started the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, the goal was to bring the world’s highest standards of music education home to Nigeria, and seeing 18 of our students receive life-changing scholarships to Berklee in Boston is proof that our talent is truly global.” 

The 18 students who were awarded during the ceremonial Finale received fully funded undergraduate placements at Berklee College of Music in London with additional access to the institution’s global programs. Other participants got graduation certificates, officially recognising them as the first graduating set of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation. 

However, the goal remains bigger, according to Damien Bracken, the Dean of Admissions. “We are hopeful that this is just the first of many engagements and collaborations with Tiwa as we work together to bring Africa to Berklee and continue to positively impact the global music industry,” he says. 

Tiwa Savage is building a remarkable platform that can revolutionise how the young generation of African artists and music professionals view the art of music and the business side of it. For the 18 awardees, she became their beacon of hope, and that number is poised to grow larger over time and widen her impact.