Nigerians on social media have expressed sharply divided views over calls to boycott South African singer Tyla’s forthcoming concert in Lagos, amid renewed concerns about alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
The controversy followed the announcement of Tyla’s APOP World Tour, which features a Lagos performance scheduled for December 22. The tour will conclude with concerts in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.
PUNCH Online previously reported that the Grammy-winning artiste unveiled the tour itinerary on Monday, with performances planned across Europe, North America, Nigeria and South Africa.
However, the announcement quickly ignited discussions on X, where several users argued that hosting the concert in Nigeria was inappropriate while reports of alleged attacks on 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.”
Echoing similar sentiments, #BighomieRay urged Nigerians to reject the event.
“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.
Also advocating a boycott, #MetOrjiChukwudi described it as a peaceful show of solidarity.
“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.”
Some users also criticised the singer for not publicly commenting on the reported attacks against 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 custody in South Africa, #callmehonneybee posted, “Mind you this is what their police officers are doing to our brothers. Literally killing them like flies in their own home.”
Despite the backlash, other social media users opposed the boycott campaign, arguing that entertainers should not be held responsible for political or diplomatic issues.
#Emmanuel1135482 maintained that Nigerians’ support for Tyla should not be interpreted as endorsement of xenophobia.
“Nigerians get love still get hate at the same time. Na the love for Tyla no be for South Africans,” the user wrote.
Another X user, #cea9275, dismissed the boycott campaign, 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 criticism was being directed primarily at the government instead of the organisers and prospective attendees of the concert.
“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 public concern over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa following reports of alleged xenophobic attacks and the reported death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe in Cape Town, an incident that has continued to spark widespread reactions across social media.
