Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
South African Grammy-winning singer, Tyla, has dropped Lagos from the schedule of her APOP World Tour, days after her planned December 22 concert in Nigeria sparked controversy and boycott calls linked to renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
A review of the singer’s official tour website on Friday showed that the Lagos date had been removed from the itinerary.
While previously announced performances across Europe, North America and South Africa remain on the schedule, Nigeria is no longer listed among the tour destinations.
The development follows intense debate on social media after Tyla announced Lagos as the only Nigerian stop on the tour before its scheduled conclusion in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.
Some Nigerians had called for a boycott of the concert, citing reports of attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in South Africa.
Others argued that entertainers should not be blamed for political or social issues beyond their control.
The controversy intensified after activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, threatened to mobilise members of his Ratel Movement against the event.
In a Facebook post, Otse wrote, “TYLA SHOW WILL NOT BE HAPPENING IN NIGERIA.
“This is a message to SOUTH AFRICANS. WE ARE AFRICANS AND WE DONT UNALIVE OUR OWN, since you people have taken it upon yourselves to unaliveother Africans because according to you guys other African nationalities living in South Africa are taking your jobs.
“WE ARE STANDING IN SOLIDARITY TO SAY NO TO THE PROMOTERS AND CELEBRITIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA WHO HAVE REFUSED TO SPEAK UP AGAINST THESE ATTACKS ON OTHER AFRICANS LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA.
“#NOTOXENOPHOBICATTACKS #ratelmovement SAYNOTOXENOPHOBICATTACKS.”
However, 2027 African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore opposed the boycott campaign and argued that Tyla should not be held responsible for xenophobic attacks.
“Nigerians should direct their anger at their real enemies… No one should hold a talented musician like @Tyllaaaaaaa vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia,” Sowore wrote on X, adding that “Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on.”
The debate emerged amid renewed concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa following reports of xenophobic attacks and the deaths of some Nigerian nationals, including Chika Ibe in Cape Town.
As of Friday, neither Tyla nor her management had explained the removal of the Lagos concert from the tour schedule. Concert promoters had also not announced whether the show was cancelled or postponed.
