South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla has removed Lagos, Nigeria, from the list of destinations on her upcoming A*Pop World Tour, following growing backlash linked to renewed xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.
The singer had earlier announced that she would perform in Lagos on December 22 as part of Nigeria’s annual “Detty December” entertainment calendar. However, the Nigerian stop has since disappeared from the updated tour schedule, sparking widespread reactions online.
Neither Tyla nor her management has issued an official explanation for the removal of the Lagos concert. The development, however, comes amid mounting criticism on social media, where many Nigerians questioned the appropriateness of hosting the South African star while reports of attacks on migrants, including Nigerians, continue to emerge in South Africa.
The now-cancelled Lagos concert would have marked Tyla’s first headline performance in Nigeria. She previously visited the country in late 2024, where she interacted with Nigerian music stars, including Rema, Ayra Starr and Tems, and expressed her desire to return for a full concert.
The planned performance quickly became the subject of heated debate, with several public figures calling for its cancellation.
Media personality Do2dtun argued that the timing was inappropriate, urging promoters to “read the room” before organising such an event. Social commentator Solomon Buchi also advocated a boycott, criticising Tyla for not publicly condemning the attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.
The controversy also revived discussions surrounding Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, whose performance in South Africa last year was delayed by visa issues. Although the singer eventually performed in Cape Town, many social media users referenced the incident while questioning whether Tyla should be welcomed in Nigeria under the current circumstances.
However, not all reactions supported the boycott campaign.
Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore argued that Tyla should not be held responsible for South Africa’s immigration challenges or government policies. He urged Nigerians to direct their grievances toward political leaders rather than musicians, maintaining that cultural exchanges should not become casualties of diplomatic or political disputes.
His comments reflected a broader debate over whether entertainers should be expected to publicly take positions on political crises or bear responsibility for actions taken by their governments.
The removal of the Lagos concert also underscores the growing impact of South Africa’s xenophobia-related tensions on the country’s entertainment industry.
Earlier this year, South Africa’s Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, disclosed that several South African musicians had lost performance opportunities across Africa amid rising anger over attacks on foreign nationals.
The diplomatic tensions have extended beyond the music industry. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many African football fans openly supported teams playing against South Africa, highlighting growing continental resentment over the recurring attacks.
Despite the latest controversy, Tyla has maintained close musical ties with Nigeria throughout her career.
The singer has collaborated with several Nigerian artistes, including Ayra Starr on Girl Next Door, DJ Spinall and Omah Lay on One Call, Tems on No. 1, and Wizkid on Dynamite.
She has also joined other African artistes in advocating greater recognition for the continent’s diverse music genres, arguing that African music should not be broadly classified under the single label of “Afrobeats.”
