Tensions Resurface as Tyla's Lagos Concert Faces Backlash

What started as a planned concert for South African singer Tyla has turned into another point of tension between Nigeria and South Africa. Her Lagos concert was removed from her APOP World Tour schedule after calls for a boycott.

Tyla was set to perform in Lagos on December 22, 2026. This would have been her only West African stop and the first African date on her tour before shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January 2027.

After days of online criticism about how Nigerians are treated in South Africa, the Lagos concert date vanished from the tour schedule. Neither Tyla nor her management has said why this happened or if the concert is cancelled or postponed.

This issue has again put the entertainment scenes of both countries in the spotlight during a time of social and diplomatic tension.

But this is not the first time music has stirred up issues between Nigeria and South Africa.

Burna Boy and the 2019 Boycott

In 2019, Nigerian singer Burna Boy played a significant role in the fallout from a wave of xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa. He publicly condemned these attacks and was set to headline the Africans Unite concert in November 2019. This event aimed to promote unity against xenophobia and gender-based violence.

However, his participation drew backlash from some South African artists who were upset about his earlier comments during the xenophobia crisis. The Tshwane Entertainment Collective called for a boycott of the concert, and there were threats of violence.

After talks with Burna Boy’s management, event organizers removed him from the lineup and cancelled the concerts in Cape Town and Pretoria. They said it was due to concerns for the safety of all artists and attendees.

This incident clearly showed how disagreements between Nigeria and South Africa could spill over into the entertainment industry.

Ayra Starr’s Visa Setback

Five years later, another Nigerian star found herself in the middle of a different entertainment dispute between the two countries. In February 2024, Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was due to perform at 'In The City' shows in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The shows were cancelled after her visa application was denied. Event organizers pointed out that this was part of a broader visa issue affecting West African artists. They said, "We regret to announce the cancellation of both 'In the City Ayra Starr' Shows scheduled to take place in Joburg and Cape Town on 16 and 17 February 2024," adding that West African artists were denied visas through no fault of their own.

This incident later came up in discussions about Tyla’s planned concert in Lagos, with Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan calling for better visa treatment between the two nations.

Tyla’s Lagos Warm Welcome

Later in 2024, Tyla had a much warmer experience in Lagos during the Detty December festivities. She was greeted enthusiastically by Nigerian fans. She performed at Flytime Fest and joined American rapper Gunna on stage for their hit "Jump." She also spent time with Nigerian artists Tems and Ayra Starr in Lagos. Her visit was seen as a reminder of the strong cultural ties between Nigeria and South Africa despite political and social issues.

Both countries are deeply connected through music, with Afrobeats and Amapiano blending across borders. Artists from both sides often collaborate and perform for fans in each other's countries. Tyla became part of this crossover, while Nigerian stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tems, and Ayra Starr have kept close ties with South Africa’s music scene.

From Reception to Boycott Calls

Now, that relationship is being tested again. Tyla’s planned 2026 concert in Lagos comes after renewed anger over reports of xenophobic attacks and the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa. The situation became more concerning after the death of Nigerian Ibeh Chika Simon during a South African Police operation in Cape Town on July 23, 2026. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate of South Africa confirmed they are looking into his death.

With this background, some Nigerians began to call for a boycott of Tyla’s concert, arguing that hosting a South African artist was inappropriate. They pointed out the violence and mistreatment Nigerians face in South Africa, saying it would send the wrong message. Among the supporters of this campaign were content creator Solomon Buchi, activist VeryDarkMan, and broadcaster Dotun. Others disagreed, saying artists should not be blamed for the actions of governments or security forces.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore also spoke against the boycott, saying political leaders, not entertainers, should be held responsible for xenophobia. This debate also brought back memories of Ayra Starr’s visa issues and the 2019 situation with Burna Boy, showing a cycle where Nigerian and South African artists often find themselves in disputes that go beyond music.

For now, Tyla’s concerts in Cape Town and Johannesburg are still on the schedule, but the status of the Lagos performance is uncertain. From Burna Boy’s withdrawal from the South African concert in 2019 to Ayra Starr’s visa troubles in 2024, Tyla’s warm welcome in Nigeria that same year, and the backlash over her planned Lagos show in 2026, the pattern is clear: when Nigeria and South Africa have problems, the music industry often feels the effects. Once again, artists are at the crossroads of African cultural unity, public anger, and unresolved diplomatic issues.