Social media erupts with mixed reactions over December show, as outrage grows over alleged attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

Nigerians are sharply divided over calls to boycott South African music star Tyla’s upcoming Lagos concert, with the debate fuelled by renewed anger over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.

The controversy erupted after the Grammy-winning singer announced her APOP World Tour, which includes a stop in Lagos on December 22, before wrapping up with shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January.

While the announcement excited fans, it also triggered a wave of backlash on social media platform X, where some Nigerians argued that hosting a South African artist at a time of heightened tension sends the wrong message.

Several users called for a boycott, insisting it would be insensitive to celebrate South African entertainment while Nigerians are reportedly facing hostility abroad. One user, #Miz_Fey, wrote that attending the concert would amount to endorsing silence in the face of injustice. Another, #FtoniaUc, said no South African artist should be staging shows in Nigeria under the current circumstances, describing the move as “audacious.”

Others echoed similar sentiments, urging Nigerians to take a stand. #BighomieRay warned that allowing the concert to proceed without resistance would signal indifference, while #MetOrjiChukwudi advocated a peaceful boycott as a symbolic demand for justice and accountability across Africa.

Criticism also extended to Tyla herself, with some users accusing the singer of failing to publicly condemn alleged xenophobic violence. “I’ve never seen Tyla speak up against xenophobia,” one post read, questioning the timing of her Lagos performance.

The outrage has been amplified by viral content, including an unverified video alleging the death of a Nigerian in South African police custody, which has further intensified emotions online.

However, not all Nigerians support the boycott campaign. A section of social media users argued that music and politics should not be conflated, stressing that admiration for Tyla does not equate to support for xenophobia.

One user, #Emmanuel1135482, noted that Nigerians can appreciate the artist independently of her nationality, while another, #cea9275, described the boycott calls as misplaced, arguing that political disputes should not hinder cultural exchange.

Some also pushed back against the tendency to blame authorities, pointing instead to individual choice. “Concerts are organised by people and attended by people,” #DoyeenOfLagos wrote, questioning why responsibility was being shifted to the government.

The debate comes amid rising diplomatic and public tension following reports of renewed attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, including the widely discussed case of a Nigerian, Chika Ibe, whose death in Cape Town has sparked outrage.

As emotions continue to run high, Tyla’s Lagos concert has become more than just a music event — it now sits at the centre of a broader conversation about solidarity, accountability, and the limits of cultural exchange in times of crisis.