Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Tems has officially launched the Leading Vibe Initiative, a mentorship and career development programme aimed at empowering young women in the African music industry. The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday, seeks to close the gender gap across all sectors of music, including performance, songwriting, production, and business. Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, said the project was inspired by her personal journey as a self-taught artist. “There are thousands of young women just like me, with a voice, a gift, and a desire to be heard,” she noted. “I want to be someone who shows people that there is hope.”
The first edition of the programme will take place on August 8 and 9, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. Participants will take part in hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and mentoring sessions with music executives and creative professionals. The goal is to provide practical tools and industry access to help them launch or expand their careers. The initiative comes amid growing concern about gender inequality in the global music industry. According to the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, women accounted for just 37.7% of artists, 18.9% of songwriters, and 5.9% of producers on the 2024 Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Charts.
Tems, who has won two Grammy Awards and four BET Awards, hopes the Leading Vibe Initiative will serve as a stepping stone for women who are “waiting for that one space where they can express and be the best version of themselves.” The programme is open to Nigerian-based female artists aged 18–35. Applications are currently being accepted until July 13, 2025. Plans are underway to expand the initiative to other African cities in future editions.
