Nigerians on social media have expressed differing opinions about calls to boycott South African singer Tyla’s upcoming concert in Lagos. Many users linked the event to recent concerns over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The announcement of Tyla’s APOP World Tour triggered the backlash. The tour will begin in Lagos on December 22 before moving to Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.
On Monday, Tyla announced the tour schedule, which includes performances in South Africa, North America, Europe, and Nigeria. 
The announcement sparked a heated debate on X, with some users arguing that organisers should not hold the concert while reports of attacks against Nigerians in South Africa continue to emerge.
X user @MissGijae wrote, “Every one of the idiots buying her tickets are very big fools and their stupidity is beyond comprehension.”
Another user, @soladaloris, tweeted, “Yall are really pushing for Tyla to be cancelled in Nigeria just because she’s a South African hmm.”
@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!!”
READ ALSO: I Prayed Not To Faint -Tyla on Singing at the 2026 World Cup
The user added, “Any Nigerian buying that ticket and even the organiser should be ashamed.”
Similarly, @Isiego wrote, “You people were signing petitions to stop a Nigerian from having her art exhibition in Lagos. Now, a girl from a xenophobic country who has never spoken up for victims of xenophobia is coming to Lagos and y’all are gagging on her. Shame on all of you.”
However, not everyone supported the boycott campaign.
@DoyeenOfLagos questioned why people were directing responsibility at 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.
Another X user, @cea9275, rejected 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?”
The debate comes amid renewed concerns about the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa. Reports of xenophobic attacks and the death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe in Cape Town have continued to generate reactions on social media.
About The Author
