Mixed Reactions as Nigerians Discuss Tyla’s Concert in Lagos

South African music star Tyla. Photo: Vanguard

Nigerians on social media are split over calls to boycott Tyla’s concert in Lagos. Many people are linking the concert to anger over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

The discussion started after Tyla announced her APOP World Tour. The tour includes a Lagos show on December 22, before ending in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.

PUNCH Online reported that the Grammy-winning singer revealed the tour schedule on Monday. The tour will have performances across Europe, North America, Nigeria, and South Africa.

But this announcement sparked a heated debate on X. Some users argued that the concert should not take place while Nigerians are facing alleged 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.”

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.”

#BighomieRay also told Nigerians to reject the concert. “If this concert hold successfully in Nigeria, then Nigerians are a 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.

Another X user, #MetOrjiChukwudi, called for a peaceful boycott. “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.”

Others criticized Tyla for not speaking out about the alleged attacks on Nigerians. “I’ve never seen Tyla speak up against xenophobia. But sure, let’s do a tour stop in Lagos,” #Momobtw__ wrote.

Referencing a widely shared video showing 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.”

But not everyone agreed with the boycott.

#Emmanuel1135482 argued that Nigerians’ love for Tyla should not be mixed up with support for 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 calls. “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 people were blaming the government instead of concert organizers and attendees. “We are quick to blame govt, make govt come wash our bumbum after pooing? No be some people organize 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.

This discussion comes amid new worries about how Nigerians are treated in South Africa. Reports of alleged xenophobic attacks and the death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe in Cape Town are still generating reactions on social media.