Tyla’s Lagos Concert Sparks Online Debate as Nigerians Clash Over South Africa Tensions
Nigerians on social media have expressed mixed reactions over calls to boycott South African singer Tyla’s planned concert in Lagos amid renewed concerns over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The Grammy-winning artiste announced her APOP World Tour on Monday, with Nigeria listed among the countries she will visit.
The tour will include a Lagos performance scheduled for December 22, before concluding with shows in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.
However, the announcement of the Lagos concert triggered debate among Nigerians online, with some users calling for a boycott in protest against reported attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
Some critics argued that hosting a South African artiste in Nigeria at this time sends the wrong message, insisting that entertainment events should not continue as normal while concerns about the safety of Nigerians abroad remain unresolved.
One user, FtoniaUc, wrote on X that no South African artistes should hold shows in Nigeria because of “what went down and what is going down in South Africa against Nigerians.”
Another user, BighomieRay, also supported a boycott, arguing that allowing the concert to proceed would show a lack of concern for Nigerians affected by xenophobic incidents.
MetOrjiChukwudi described the proposed boycott as a peaceful protest and said it would represent a call for justice and accountability.
However, other social media users disagreed, arguing that musicians should not be held responsible for political issues or actions of individuals and governments.
Emmanuel1135482 said Nigerians could continue to appreciate Tyla’s music without it being interpreted as support for South Africans involved in xenophobic acts.
Another user, Cea9275, questioned the logic behind targeting entertainers, arguing that political disagreements should not prevent cultural exchanges.
DoyeenOfLagos also challenged critics to consider the role of event organisers and fans, questioning whether government decisions should determine individual choices about attending concerts.
The debate continues as Nigerians weigh the relationship between entertainment, diplomacy, and reactions to social issues affecting citizens at home and abroad.
