Xenophobia Row Forces Lagos Off Tyla’s World Tour

South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla has removed Lagos from the schedule of her APOP World Tour, days after her planned December 22 concert in Nigeria sparked controversy and calls for a boycott over 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 widespread 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. While some Nigerians called for a boycott, citing reports of attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in South Africa, others argued that entertainers should not be held responsible for political or social issues beyond their control.
The controversy escalated after activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, threatened to mobilise members of his Ratel Movement against the concert. In a Facebook post, he declared that the show would not take place in Nigeria and urged solidarity against South African promoters and celebrities who, according to him, had failed to condemn attacks on other Africans living in South Africa.
However, 2027 African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore opposed the boycott campaign, insisting that Tyla should not be blamed for xenophobic attacks. In a post on X, Sowore said Nigerians should direct their anger at the real perpetrators rather than a talented musician, adding that Tyla’s Lagos concert should go ahead.
The debate comes 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 why the Lagos concert was removed from the tour schedule. Concert promoters had also not stated whether the event had been cancelled or postponed.