Nigerians on social media have expressed mixed reactions, with some calling for a boycott of South African singer Tyla’s upcoming A-Pop World Tour concert stop in Lagos, amid renewed concerns over the treatment of Nigerians and other immigrants living in South Africa.
The Lagos show is scheduled for December 22 as part of the singer’s A-Pop World Tour, which features 34 dates across Europe, Africa and North America.
The issue sparked debate among fans and Nigerians on social media, with some users backing the boycott, arguing that the timing was insensitive given the ongoing tensions affecting Nigerian citizens and business owners in South Africa. Others insisted Tyla should not be held responsible for the diplomatic tensions in the state.
The Grammy Award-winning singer is yet to respond publicly to the controversy.
Internet personality, writer and podcast host Solomon Buchi, in a post on Instagram, urged Nigerians to come together and boycott Tyla’s show in Nigeria, arguing that she has not used her platform to stand against the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“This is the one time Nigerians need to come together to stand for something,” he said, adding that including her in Nigeria in the tour is very “ insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians”
“Not one word from Tyla, not even performative activism from her, but all of a sudden she wants to have a show in Nigeria,” Mr Buchi said, urging Nigerians to boycott the concert.
He added that Zimbabwe had previously boycotted South African performers over similar concerns.
An X user, @foreverdeb_wrote, “Who are the promoters bringing Tyla to this country? You lot must be insane to mock us like that, and if you love your business, you better cancel that show.”
Another X user, @ Phatbabeluuu said, “Tyla having a show in Lagos after the whole xenophobia shit show from her country shows one thing, Nigerians don’t stand for anything.”
Another user, @HonitelHQ wrote, “I’m not particularly happy to tweet this because I’m a huge fan of Tyla, but there’s absolutely no reason for her and her team to include Lagos in her ‘A Pop’ tour.
“In fact, the entire Lagos State and the Nigerian entertainment industry should be considered a joke if that show eventually holds in Lagos.”
However, others argued that Tyla should be allowed to perform, saying music should not be mixed with politics.
An X user @godwinsaint001 said, “Private citizens who aren’t politicians shouldn’t be punished for the crimes of the political office holders in their country. Tyla is not a politician; she should be allowed to carry on with her show in Nigeria despite all the xenophobic attacks they’ve done to Nigerians.”
Another user, @jahboyback shared that, “Hating on this lady for zero reason, just because she’s doing well and they see her as a threat to their beloved. When is the ticket sales starting for her Lagos show?”
Omoyele Sowore, African Action Congress presidential candidate, posted on X that, “Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on,” urging “Nigerians should direct their anger at their real enemies, the criminal political leaders” rather than the singer.
In recent years, several top Nigerian artistes, including Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Rema, Tems, Ayra Starr and Asake, have performed in South Africa, despite outbreaks of xenophobic violence.