S’Africa’s Tyla drops Lagos from world tour after boycott calls

South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla has removed Lagos, Nigeria, from her "APOP World Tour" schedule after facing calls for a boycott. The planned December 22 concert in Nigeria was met with backlash due to ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

A review of Tyla's official tour website revealed that the Lagos stop has been deleted from the itinerary. While other dates across Europe, North America, and South Africa remain, Nigeria is no longer included. Tyla had initially announced the tour with Lagos as the sole Nigerian stop.

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TYLA SHOW WILL NOT BE HAPPENING IN NIGERIA.

The announcement sparked significant debate on social media. Some Nigerians advocated for boycotting the concert, protesting the attacks on their compatriots in South Africa. They argued that no South African artist should perform in Nigeria while such incidents occur. Conversely, others contended that musicians should not be held accountable for political or social conflicts.

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This is a message to SOUTH AFRICANS. WE ARE AFRICANS AND WE DONT UNALIVE OUR OWN, since you people have taken it upon yourselves to unalive other Africans because according to you guys other African nationalities living in South Africa are taking your jobs.

The controversy intensified when activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, threatened to mobilize a movement to halt the concert. He posted on Facebook, stating, "TYLA SHOW WILL NOT BE HAPPENING IN NIGERIA." He expressed solidarity with victims of xenophobia and criticized South African celebrities for not speaking out against the attacks.

However, presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore opposed the boycott, urging Nigerians to direct their anger at "real enemies" and not hold Tyla responsible. He asserted that "Tyla's Lagos concert must go on."

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WE ARE STANDING IN SOLIDARITY TO SAY NO TO THE PROMOTERS AND CELEBRITIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA WHO HAVE REFUSED TO SPEAK UP AGAINST THESE ATTACKS ON OTHER AFRICANS LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The removal of Lagos from the tour comes amid heightened concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa, following reports of alleged xenophobic violence and the deaths of Nigerian nationals.

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Nigerians should direct their anger at their real enemies… No one should hold a talented musician like @Tyllaaaaaaa vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia. Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on.