Nigerians on social media have become sharply divided over calls to boycott South African singer Tyla’s upcoming concert in Lagos, with many connecting the controversy to renewed anger over alleged xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. The backlash followed the release of Tyla’s APOP World Tour schedule, which includes a performance in Lagos on December 22 before the tour wraps up with shows in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9. The Grammy-winning artiste announced the tour on Monday, with concerts planned across Europe, North America, Nigeria and South Africa.
The announcement quickly ignited heated reactions on X, where some users argued that the Lagos concert should not go ahead while reports of attacks against Nigerians in South Africa persist. X user #Miz_Fey wrote, “Any Nigerian who attends Tyla’s concert in Lagos is just as useless as the government btw.” Another user, #FtoniaUc, said, “I don’t care what y’all say, with what went down and what is going down in South Africa against Nigerians, no South African artists should be hosting a concert or show in Nigeria. It’s the audacity for me!!” The same user added, “Any Nigerian buying that ticket and even the organiser should be ashamed.” #BighomieRay also urged Nigerians to reject the concert.
“If this concert hold successfully in Nigeria, then Nigerians are bunch of idiots. Go and see what SA police are doing to Nigerians. None of them have spoken against it,” the user wrote.
Another X user, #MetOrjiChukwudi, called for a peaceful boycott. “I call on Nigerians to peacefully boycott Tyla’s performance as a symbolic stand for justice, accountability, and the protection of all Africans. As long as xenophobia and Afrophobia continue to threaten the lives of Africans, including Nigerians, in South Africa, I believe this is not the right time to support South African entertainment in Nigeria,” he said.
Similarly, #Phatbabeluuu posted, “Tyla having a show in Lagos after the whole xenophobia shit show from her country, shows one thing, Nigerians don’t stand for anything.” Others criticised Tyla for not publicly addressing alleged attacks on Nigerians. “I’ve never seen Tyla speak up against xenophobia. But sure, let’s do a tour stop in Lagos,” #Momobtw__ wrote.
Referring to a widely circulated video alleging the death of a Nigerian in police custod…
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