The Foundation
Leadership & Board
The people who believe that talent should determine access, not economics. Meet the founder, board, and advisors behind TSMF.
Founder & Chair
Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum artist and Berklee College of Music alumna whose global career spans music, film, fashion, and philanthropy. She is the founder of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation and serves as its Chair and Artistic Advisor.
Born in Lagos, raised in London, and educated in Boston, Tiwa has spent two decades navigating the music industry from every angle. She created TSMF to build the pathway she had to discover for herself, making it available to an entire generation of African artists.
"I want to build leaders, producers, executives, and owners who will shape the future of the industry. And I want them to come from here."
Governance
Board of Directors
Tiwa Savage
Chair & FounderGrammy-nominated artist, Berklee alumna, and the creative force behind the foundation's vision.
Tiwatope Omolara Savage, known professionally as Tiwa Savage, is a globally acclaimed singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. Often hailed as the "Queen of Afrobeats," she has been instrumental in propelling the genre to international commercial success. A graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music (Class of 2007), Tiwa seamlessly blends R&B, pop, and hip-hop into her vibrant West African sound. With multiple international awards and historic performances she has solidified her legacy as an entertainment powerhouse.
In February 2026, expanding her impact from a performer to an industry builder, she officially launched the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation. Through this non-profit initiative, she partners with global academic institutions to provide emerging African producers, engineers, and music executives with world-class education, ensuring the long-term structural success of the African creative ecosystem.
Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti
Board MemberDancer, entrepreneur, and founder of Felabration, the internationally recognised festival honouring her father's Afrobeat legacy.
Omoyeni "Yeni" Anikulapo-Kuti is a renowned dancer, singer, entrepreneur, and prominent media personality. Yeni has spent her life deeply embedded in the arts. She is the visionary founder of Felabration, an annual international music festival honoring her father's monumental legacy and has single handedly conceptualized and scaled it into a globally recognized, week-long arts and music festival that sustains the Afrobeat legacy for future generations. Beyond that, her decades of foundational experience as a professional dancer, choreographer, and backing vocalist, has been integral to the stage presence of pioneering Afrobeat ensembles.
Foluso Phillips
Board MemberIndustrial economist and chartered accountant; Founder & Chairman of Phillips Consulting, a leading Nigerian management consulting firm.
Foluso Phillips is a distinguished industrial economist, chartered accountant, and corporate governance leader with over four decades of experience in management consulting, organizational development, and institutional transformation. He is the Founder and Chairman of Phillips Consulting Limited, one of Nigeria's leading indigenous management consulting firms, where he has advised organizations across the public, private, and development sectors on strategy, leadership, performance, and sustainable growth.
Mr Phillips has built a career helping organizations strengthen governance systems, improve operational effectiveness, and build institutions capable of delivering long-term impact. His contributions span corporate advisory, human capital development, healthcare, education, and social impact initiatives, earning him recognition as a respected voice on leadership, accountability, and institutional excellence.
Dr. Owen Omogiafo
Board MemberPresident & Group CEO of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), one of Africa's leading conglomerates.
Dr. Owen Omogiafo is a distinguished business executive, institutional leader, and board professional with extensive experience spanning finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, hospitality, energy, and investment management. She currently serves as President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), one of Africa's leading conglomerates with investments across power, hospitality, and energy.
Dr Owen has built a reputation for driving organizational transformation, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation. As an experienced board member and institutional investor, she brings deep expertise in governance, investment oversight, stakeholder management, organizational sustainability, and strategic decision-making. Her perspective supports the Foundation's commitment to building an institution capable of delivering lasting impact for emerging African creatives.
Don Jazzy
Board MemberAward-winning music executive and producer; Founder of Mavin Records, one of Africa's most influential music platforms.
Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, is an award-winning music executive, producer, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential figures in contemporary African music. Over the past two decades, he has played a defining role in shaping the sound, business, and global reach of African popular culture. Founder of Mavin Records, Don Jazzy has built some of the continent's most successful music platforms, discovering, developing, and mentoring artists who have gone on to achieve both continental and international success. His contributions to music production, artist development, and creative entrepreneurship have helped position African music as a major force on the global stage.
Beyond music, Don Jazzy is a respected investor, business leader, and advocate for youth development, innovation, and creative enterprise. His commitment to nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for emerging creatives aligns closely with the mission of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation.
Rozan Ahmed
Board MemberCultural strategist and philanthropist; founder of The Magic Drive and creator of bougi, linking African and Middle Eastern culture.
Rozan Ahmed is an internationally recognized cultural strategist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and creative leader whose work sits at the intersection of culture, storytelling, brand development, and social impact. With a career spanning media, publishing, philanthropy, and cultural diplomacy, she has dedicated her work to amplifying underrepresented voices, building cross-cultural connections, and creating platforms that empower the next generation of creative leaders.
Widely respected for her innovative approach to culture and impact, Rozan is the founder of The Magic Drive, a global philanthropic initiative that empowers orphans and vulnerable youth through fashion, art, creativity, and self-expression. She is also the creator and editor of bougi, a pioneering cultural platform established to strengthen creative, cultural, and business relationships between Africa and the Middle East.
Tiwa Ayankoya
Board MemberQualified accountant and data management professional with 20+ years across finance, governance, and business transformation.
Tiwa Ayankoya is a qualified accountant and data management professional with over 20 years of experience spanning finance, data analysis, project management, and business transformation. She combines strong financial expertise with analytical and data-driven decision-making to help organisations improve performance, strengthen governance, and enhance operational efficiency. She has held senior project support and governance roles within leading organisations, delivering improvements in reporting, controls, stakeholder engagement, and organisational change.
With a unique combination of financial acumen, analytical thinking, and data expertise, Tiwa is passionate about helping organisations transform data into meaningful insights, optimise business processes, and deliver measurable results. Her ability to bridge the gap between data, finance, and business strategy enables organisations to make informed decisions and drive sustainable improvement.
Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna
Board MemberBritish-Nigerian PR powerhouse and founder of VA-PR, a driving force behind the global exportation of Afrobeats.
Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna is a highly respected British-Nigerian public relations powerhouse, music executive, and the founder of VA-PR. With a career that bridges the gap between Western and African entertainment markets, she has orchestrated massive publicity campaigns for global icons. In recent years, she has been a foundational force behind the global exportation of Afrobeats, managing international PR and brand strategies for successful musicians.
Vanessa is celebrated for her elite network, strategic media positioning, and steadfast brand management. As a key stakeholder and trusted advisor in the African music ecosystem, she will continue to craft the core message of the foundation to perfectly align with Tiwa Savage's overarching global brand, ensuring that the narrative consistently focuses on empowering the infrastructure of African music producers, engineers, and executives.
Operations
The Team
Stephanie Adamu
Media & Communications LeadMusic executive and founder of Kobra Culture; former UK Marketing Director for EMPIRE, driving diaspora-centric Afrobeats storytelling.
Stephanie Adamu, also known in the industry as Stefi K, is a visionary music executive, marketing director, and the founder of Kobra Culture, a diaspora-focused marketing agency. With over a decade of experience, she has been a driving force behind the global commercial rise of Afrobeats. She began her career handling international PR and marketing campaigns for Universal Music Group in West Africa before serving as the UK Marketing Director for EMPIRE. During her tenure at EMPIRE, she masterminded campaigns for historic, record-breaking projects, working with Global award winning artists.
In late 2024, she launched Kobra Culture to champion global diaspora-centric storytelling, managing strategic campaigns for top-tier acts like Tiwa Savage and DJ Enimoney. Beyond corporate marketing, Stephanie is deeply committed to gender inclusivity in the music business. She is the founder of Girls in Afrobeats, an NGO dedicated to empowering and amplifying the voices of women working within the genre.
Nigel Nlemigbo
Logistics & Operations LeadSenior logistics manager with over a decade of experience in music management, tour operations, and live event logistics.
Nigel Nlemigbo is a seasoned music industry professional and the Senior Logistics Manager for the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation. Having begun his career in the music industry in 2011, Nigel brings over a decade of comprehensive experience in music management, tour operations, and live event logistics. Throughout his career, he has successfully navigated complex artist logistics, production coordination, and international event operations while maintaining robust stakeholder relationships.
At the Foundation, he plays a critical role in bringing philanthropic visions to life by ensuring that the planning and execution of educational programs, events, and initiatives are thoughtfully organized and highly efficient. Nigel is deeply committed to the belief that strong operational frameworks are essential for creating impactful experiences that empower young creatives. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, strategic thinking, and calm leadership under pressure, he is passionate about building the systems and partnerships that allow artists, teams, and local communities to thrive.