South African singer Tyla’s planned Lagos concert has become the subject of an online backlash, with some Nigerians calling for the show to be cancelled over South Africa’s history of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians.
The Grammy-winning singer is scheduled to perform in Lagos on December 22 as part of her A*POP World Tour, which supports her recently released second album. The Lagos date comes before shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January 2027.
The announcement has triggered heated reactions on social media, particularly under posts promoting the tour. Some users have urged concert promoter Live Nation to remove Nigeria from the itinerary, arguing that Tyla should not perform in the country while resentment over attacks on Nigerians in South Africa remains unresolved.
Critics have also questioned the singer’s silence on xenophobic violence involving Nigerians in South Africa. Their objections reflect a broader frustration over repeated incidents that have strained relations between citizens of both countries.
The reaction, however, has not been unanimous. Nigerians online have expressed differing views on whether Tyla should be held responsible for actions carried out by other South Africans, with the debate extending beyond the singer and her planned performance.
Media personality and broadcaster Do2dtun also weighed into the controversy, directly appealing to Tyla on X.
While describing the singer as talented and saying he respects her, Do2dtun argued that the current climate makes a Lagos performance inappropriate. He urged her to acknowledge the concerns surrounding xenophobia and what Nigerians perceive as the continuing mistreatment of their compatriots in South Africa.
He maintained that artists with large platforms can use their visibility to address social issues connected to their identities and communities.
The controversy comes as Tyla prepares for her most extensive headline tour to date. The 34-date tour is scheduled to begin in Paris on October 12 and will cover Europe, North America and Africa before concluding in Johannesburg on January 9, 2027.
For now, the Lagos show remains on the published tour schedule, although a venue has yet to be announced.
The growing debate highlights how deeply the history of xenophobic violence continues to influence public sentiment in Nigeria, even as cultural and entertainment ties between the two countries remain active.
