Nigerians on social media are divided over calls to boycott South African singer Tyla’s planned Lagos concert, with many tying the campaign to fresh anger over alleged xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
The controversy followed the announcement of Tyla’s APOP World Tour, which will take her to Lagos on December 22 before concerts in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.
The Grammy-winning singer announced the tour schedule on Monday, covering Europe, North America, Nigeria and South Africa.
But the Lagos date quickly drew criticism on X, with some users saying the concert should not go ahead while Nigerians allegedly face 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.”
#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 user added, “Any Nigerian buying that ticket and even the organiser should be ashamed.”
#BighomieRay also called for a boycott, writing, “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,”
#MetOrjiChukwudi urged a peaceful boycott, saying, “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,”
#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 faulted Tyla for not speaking publicly about the alleged attacks.
“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 shared video alleging a Nigerian died in police custody, #callmehonneybee posted, “Mind you this is what their police officers are doing to our brothers. Literally killing them like flies in their own home.”
But some Nigerians rejected the boycott. #Emmanuel1135482 wrote, “Nigerians get love still get hate at the same time. Na the love for Tyla no be for South Africans.”
#cea9275 said, “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 the government was being blamed, writing, “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 debate comes amid renewed concerns over alleged xenophobic attacks and the death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe in Cape Town, which has continued to draw reactions online.
