South African singer Tyla has removed Lagos as part of her upcoming tour following widespread backlash and calls for a boycott.
The Grammy-winning singer had listed Lagos as part of her first headline world tour, titled A POP World Tour, on Monday, July 27, and was scheduled to perform in Lagos on December 22 before heading back to South Africa for shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January 2027.
However, shortly after the announcement, some Nigerians took to social media to call for a boycott of the Lagos concert. The heavy backlash is largely connected to renewed anger over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
It also left the Nigerian community at large divided. For some Nigerians, the idea of welcoming a major South African entertainer to Lagos while Nigerians continue to express concerns about their treatment in South Africa does not sit well, while others think Tyla should not be faulted.
Neither Tyla nor her management publicly addressed the criticism.
Here is what various Nigerians were saying
For social media activist Very DarkMan, he insists that the show will not happen, especially as Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidinma Adetshina, continues to battle deportation issues.
“There will be no Tyla show in Nigeria. It’s not happening, if they go ahead with that show, we won’t allow it happen”
— VeryDarkMan sends a strong warning to the show’s organizers and promoters ahead of the planned event. //t.co/RkygtOcUGR pic.twitter.com/1rYezbJ6v1
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) July 30, 2026
Solomon Buchi criticized the singer for not lending her voice to the xenophobic attack but now wants to perform in Nigeria.
“Tyla is scheduled to perform in Nigeria this December, and that show must not take place. This is one time Nigerians have to come together and stand for something. After the xenophobic att@cks we witnessed in South Africa and the way Nigerians have been treated, Tyla didn’t say… pic.twitter.com/s9iEqBiB9S
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) July 29, 2026
On her part, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan asked the Nigeria Immigration Service to review the visa application of South African artists and reciprocate as was allegedly done to Nigerian star Ayra Starr by South Africa.
Tyla: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan calls on Nigeria Immigation Service to review visa application of South African artistes and reciprocate as was allegedly done to Nigerian star Ayra Starr by South Africa pic.twitter.com/iXMympcwlb
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) July 30, 2026
A social media influencer and critic, Oyemykke, slammed Nigerians calling for her boycott, adding that she should not be punished for the xenophobic attacks involving Nigerians in South Africa.
Tyla show in Nigeria;
“Personally, I don’t support the xenophobic att@cks happening in South Africa, but we shouldn’t punish Tyla for that. She’s just a musician. If you don’t want to attend her show, then it’s up to Nigerians not to buy tickets.”
— Oyemykke //t.co/YuBVO0n28i pic.twitter.com/hFbuiCVt0K
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) July 29, 2026
Omoyele Sowore also opined that Tyla’s concert must go on and that Nigerians should direct their anger at the necessary culprits.
Here are some reactions below.
Re: Tyla
I think everyone is correct!
The Tyla conversation is much bigger than Tyla.
It’s not about her, it’s about Africa.
Whether you’re Nigerian, South African, Ghanaian or Kenyan, here’s the uncomfortable truth:
We cannot talk about free movement, a single market and…
— ＤＯＣＴＯＵＲ (@wakawaka_doctor) July 30, 2026
Who Is the promoter for the Tyla show ?
— Do2dtun Energy gAD (@iamDo2dtun) July 29, 2026
They canceled Ayra Starr’s show in South Africa buy they want Tyla to come to Nigeria?? Oya nau 😂
— Peace Ighodaro💛 (@peace_igho) July 29, 2026
The irony of the Tyla concert uproar is she’ll likely cancel it, yet nothing will change. South African companies will keep profiting in Nigeria, and the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians will continue while both governments look the other way.
— Chylevibes (@mrchyle) July 30, 2026
Tyla should be allowed to perform in Lagos. There’s something called diplomacy. An artist shouldn’t be held responsible for the actions of their government or the views of some radical citizens unless they have personally supported them. Judge Tyla by her own words and actions,…
— Goodboy (@realseido) July 29, 2026
It’s sad what is going on between Nigerians & South Africans.
They threatenel£d BurnaBoy not to perform in their country & Tyla is facing same fate.
Unfortunately, if the politicians fail to tackle this menace, it will spread to other things affects different industries.
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) July 30, 2026