Nigerians on social media have expressed divided opinions over calls to boycott South African singer Tyla’s scheduled concert in Lagos.
Many link the event to renewed outrage over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The backlash followed the announcement of Tyla’s APOP World Tour, which includes a Lagos performance on December 22 before concluding with concerts in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.
The Grammy-winning singer unveiled the tour schedule on Monday, with shows across Europe, North America, Nigeria and South Africa.
The announcement sparked heated debate on X, with some users arguing that the concert should not hold while Nigerians continue to face alleged attacks in South Africa.
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.”
Boycott Push Meets Counter‑Arguments on Art, Accountability and Blame
#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. They recently killed a Nigerian. None of them have spoken against it,” the user wrote.
#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.
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. Some users referenced a widely shared video alleging the death of a Nigerian in police custody in South Africa.
However, not everyone supported the boycott campaign.
#Emmanuel1135482 argued that Nigerians’ affection for Tyla should not be confused with support for xenophobia. “Nigerians get love still get hate at the same time. Na the love for Tyla no be for South Africans,” the user wrote.
#cea9275 dismissed the boycott calls, saying, “You’re fighting an illogical battle, political issues should never stop a musician from performing in the said country. And if you’re really passionate about this issue as you appear, why don’t you condemn Nigerian artists featuring SA artistes?”
#DoyeenOfLagos also questioned why responsibility was being placed on the government instead of concert organisers and attendees. “We are quick to blame govt, make govt come wash our bumbum after pooing? No be some people organise the event? No be some go attend the event? Na govt forced them to? That’s why politicians are treating us like this,” the user wrote.
The debate comes amid renewed concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa following reports of alleged xenophobic attacks and the death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe in Cape Town.
