Nigerians on social media are divided over calls to boycott South African singer Tyla’s upcoming concert in Lagos, amid renewed concerns about alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The controversy began after Tyla announced her APOP World Tour, which includes a Lagos stop on December 22, followed by shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January. The tour, unveiled earlier this week, will also cover Europe and North America.
Following the announcement, some Nigerians on X urged a boycott, arguing that the concert should not go ahead while reports of attacks on Nigerians in South Africa persist. Several users criticized both potential attendees and organizers, calling the event insensitive in light of the situation.
Others also faulted the singer for not publicly addressing the alleged attacks, saying her silence was concerning.
However, not all reactions supported the boycott. Some users argued that music and politics should remain separate, noting that support for Tyla does not equate to support for xenophobia. Others questioned why responsibility was being directed at the artist rather than policymakers or individuals choosing to attend the event.
The debate follows renewed outrage online over reports of xenophobic incidents in South Africa, including the alleged killing of a Nigerian national in Cape Town, an issue that continues to spark strong reactions among Nigerians.
