Tyla is planning to come to Lagos even as calls for a boycott of South African singer’s scheduled December 2026 concert in Lagos are gaining momentum.
Several Nigerian artistes and social media influencers are urging fans to shun the event over renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.
The campaign intensified after life coach and social commentator Solomon Buchi released a video on Instagram on July 29, arguing that the concert should not go ahead because Tyla has not publicly condemned the recent attacks.
His remarks came amid a broader online campaign in which other Nigerian influencers, commentators and X users have also called for the show to be boycotted, while others have defended the singer and opposed linking her performance to political tensions between the two countries.
In the video, Buchi said the issue was not personal to Tyla but reflected a broader question of solidarity and respect.
He argued that Nigerians should not welcome a South African artist without first addressing the treatment of Nigerians living in South Africa.
“Tyla is having a show in December in Nigeria, and that show must not happen. This is the one time Nigerians have to come together and stand for something, not after the xenophobic attacks that we saw in South Africa and how immigrants and especially Nigerian immigrants were treated. Not one word from Tyla. Not even performative activism from her,” he said.
Buchi also referenced Zimbabwe, claiming that Zimbabweans had previously boycotted South African artists as a show of solidarity, and urged Nigerians to take a similar stance.
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“It’s not about Tyla. I have no beef with her. But it’s about coming together as a people and saying, no, we have a voice, and that voice matters,” he added.
He further argued that the concert had economic implications, questioning why a South African artist should be given a platform in Nigeria when local musicians could headline similar events.
“Why is she coming to Nigeria to take away our jobs? We have our own musicians. They can do the shows in our country. We don’t want South African musicians or celebrities who are not speaking up against xenophobia to come to our country to be platformed,” he said.
Buchi also urged those who still planned to attend the concert to stage a peaceful protest by carrying placards denouncing xenophobia.
His comments echo sentiments expressed by several Nigerian influencers and social media users, some of whom have called on Nigerians to boycott the concert as a symbolic protest against the reported attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.
Others have questioned Tyla’s silence, arguing that public figures should use their platforms to condemn violence regardless of nationality.
However, the campaign has also drawn criticism from Nigerians who believe music should not be politicized. Opponents of the boycott argue that Tyla should not be held responsible for the actions of individuals or the South African government, insisting that cultural exchange should continue despite diplomatic tensions.
The debate follows Tyla’s announcement that Lagos is among the stops on her APOP World Tour, with the Nigerian concert scheduled for December before the tour concludes with performances in South Africa in January 2027.
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