South African singer Tyla Laura Seethal, popularly known as Tyla, has sparked mixed reactions after announcing a Lagos stop on her APOP* world tour, with some Nigerians calling for a boycott over renewed reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
The Grammy-winning singer announced on Monday that she will perform in Lagos on December 22. The tour will wrap up with shows in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.
Her announcement quickly ignited debate on social media, where users expressed opposing views on whether the concert should go ahead.
While some Nigerians argued that the concert should be boycotted in solidarity with victims of the reported attacks, others maintained that entertainers should not be held responsible for the actions of governments or citizens.
Media personality Do2dtun took to X to question the identity of the concert promoter and called on the Nigeria Immigration Service to deny visas to Tyla and members of her team.
“Who is the promoter for the Tyla show? Nigerian Immigration, we are collectively imploring you to intentionally deny Tyla and her team visas as well. They can’t do this to our own and we welcome their own. Madness must match madness,” he wrote.
Author and relationship adviser Solomon Buchi also opposed the planned concert, saying Tyla had not publicly condemned the reported xenophobic attacks.
“Tyla is scheduled to perform in Nigeria this December, and that show must not take place. This is one time Nigerians have to come together and stand for something. After the xenophobic attacks we witnessed in South Africa and the way Nigerians have been treated, Tyla didn’t say a word. Now, all of a sudden, she wants to perform in Nigeria,” he wrote.
Content creator Buchi Laba criticised both the singer and the event organisers, saying it was insensitive to host the concert while many Nigerians remained upset over reports of attacks on Africans in South Africa.
“It is Tyla wanting to come do a show in Lagos that’s mind-boggling, and the promoters too. Your people told us to go back home and now you want to come to our home to perform. If Tyla cannot speak out when fellow South Africans are busy attacking Africans, then she should not perform in any African country,” he wrote.
However, activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore urged Nigerians not to direct their anger at the singer, arguing that political leaders should bear responsibility for the situation.
“Nigerians should direct their anger at their real enemies, the criminal leaders who destroyed our country, reduced our people to second-class citizens across Africa and the rest of the world, and the irresponsible South African leaders whose failures helped create the conditions for xenophobic violence.
“No one should hold a talented musician like Tyla liable for the crimes of xenophobia. Artistes are not responsible for the failures of politicians except where there is ample evidence they are enablers. Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on,” he wrote.
Some critics also faulted Tyla for not publicly commenting on the reported attacks. However, there is no evidence that the singer has supported or endorsed xenophobic violence.
The controversy comes as concerns continue to grow over the treatment of Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa, with recurring incidents of xenophobic attacks repeatedly straining relations between citizens of both countries
