Ayra Starr visa denial: S’Africa demands proof as Tyla cancels Lagos show

The South African government has refuted allegations that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and her entourage were denied visas to enter the country. Prof. Bobby Moroe, South Africa's Consul-General to Nigeria, stated that immigration authorities have no record of any visa application or rejection involving the artist or her team.

Moroe has requested that individuals making these claims provide the names and visa application reference numbers of the affected persons. This information, he said, would enable the mission to thoroughly investigate and verify the allegations. The statement comes after Nigerian figures, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, called for a review of visa applications for South African artists entering Nigeria, citing the principle of reciprocity.

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The immigration said they were not aware of the application or the rejection. But what will assist us is if the people who are making these allegations will send us the names and reference numbers of Ayra Starr and her team; if they were rejected and why they were rejected, so that we can double-check.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously stated that if Ayra Starr and her team were indeed denied entry visas, leading to concert cancellations, Nigeria should respond with equivalent measures. This call aims to ensure Nigerian citizens and artists receive fair and respectful treatment when applying for visas to South Africa.

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If it is confirmed that our Nigerian artiste Ayra Starr and her team were previously denied entry visas to South Africa, leading to the cancellation of their engagements, then Nigeria should respond with equivalent measures until Nigerian citizens and artistes are accorded fair and respectful treatment.

In February 2024, organizers of Ayra Starr's concerts, Steyn Entertainment, attributed the cancellation of her scheduled performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town to visa denials. Dale De Ruig, Managing Director of Steyn Entertainment, issued a statement noting that visas were denied despite all efforts, a situation he described as a recurring issue for West African artists. However, the South African envoy maintains there is no evidence of any visa application being made.

Meanwhile, Grammy-award winning South African singer Tyla has removed Lagos from her world tour itinerary, following the deepening diplomatic row. Tyla had recently announced plans for a concert in Lagos.

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Regrettably, as has happened numerous times with other artistes from West Africa, through no fault of their own, visas were denied despite exploring every avenue possible to secure visas for Ayra Starr and her team.