The launch of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation, intended to celebrate empowerment in Nigeria’s creative sector, has instead drawn criticism for the alleged poor handling of invited media professionals. Held at the Delborough Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, the event aimed to highlight the foundation’s partnership with Berklee College of Music to offer training in songwriting and production. However, several journalists described their experience as degrading, involving extended waits, restrictive entry conditions, and confrontational security measures.
Scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., the gathering saw reporters arriving early, some as much as over an hour ahead. Upon reaching the venue, they were reportedly segregated from other guests and directed to linger at the gate, enduring what they called harassment while celebrities and stakeholders entered freely. As time passed beyond 6 p.m., access to the main hall remained blocked, with security insisting on branded polo shirts from the hotel as a prerequisite for entry. Those without the attire, despite presenting official press credentials, were denied admission, leading to frustration among the group.
Tensions escalated when a female security personnel allegedly threatened to damage a journalist’s phone while they recorded arriving attendees. Many media representatives eventually departed without covering the proceedings or engaging with participants, after hours of unproductive waiting. On leaving, their press tags and any provided shirts were retrieved, compounding the perceived disrespect.
Veteran journalist Yinka Olatunbosun from This Day newspaper voiced her dismay publicly, stating,
“Invited and Disgraced: Tiwa Savage and her team should do better. We were turned back for not wearing a branded t-shirt as a requirement for entry. Our press tags were not enough to enter the venue. We are journalists, not marketers.”
Her account has fueled online conversations about the treatment of local media at celebrity functions.
The incident raises questions about equity in event management, with some reporters pondering if international press would encounter similar barriers. It also touches on broader issues of class distinctions in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where media often play a crucial role in promotion yet face undervaluation. No immediate comments have come from Tiwa Savage or her representatives regarding the claims, leaving room for potential clarification as the story gains traction.