South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla has removed Lagos from her official world tour schedule, fueling fresh reactions online amid growing calls by some Nigerians to boycott her planned concert over concerns about xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
The singer’s December 22 Lagos stop no longer appears on the list of cities published on her official tour itinerary, although no official reason has been given for its removal.
The development comes days after some Nigerians, including public figures and commentators, urged Tyla to address recurring incidents of xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa before performing in Nigeria.
The controversy also gained momentum following reports that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and members of her team allegedly experienced visa-related challenges while travelling to South Africa, reigniting debates over the treatment of Nigerians in the country.
Despite the removal of the Lagos date, Tyla and her management team have not released any official statement explaining whether the concert has been cancelled, postponed or removed due to logistical reasons.
The lack of clarification has sparked widespread speculation on social media, with some linking the decision to the ongoing boycott campaign, while others have urged the public not to jump to conclusions until an official explanation is provided.
The incident has also revived discussions about diplomatic reciprocity between Nigeria and South Africa, particularly as it relates to entertainers, visa policies and the lingering effects of xenophobic attacks on cultural exchanges between both countries.
As of the time of filing this report, fans in Nigeria and South Africa are still awaiting an official update from Tyla’s team on the status of the Lagos concert.
