South African Grammy‑winning singer Tyla has quietly removed Lagos from the itinerary of her APOP World Tour. A review of her official tour website on Friday showed that the December 22 Lagos show is no longer listed, while the remaining dates across Europe, North America and South Africa remain unchanged.
Tour Schedule Changes
The updated tour plan still includes the previously announced performances in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9. Neither Tyla nor her management has issued an official statement explaining why the Nigerian stop was omitted, leaving fans and promoters uncertain whether the removal is a cancellation, postponement or a simple routing adjustment.
Social Media Backlash and Boycott Calls
The initial inclusion of Lagos had already triggered a heated debate online. Many Nigerians urged a boycott of the concert, arguing that South African artists should not be allowed to perform in Nigeria while Nigerians reportedly face xenophobic attacks and visa difficulties in South Africa.
Activist and Public Figures Weigh In
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Pere Egbi called on the Nigeria Immigration Service to deny visas to Tyla and her team, mirroring the treatment Nigerian singer Ayra Starr reportedly received when her South African visa was denied shortly before a planned show.
Social activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, went further, threatening to mobilise his “Ratel Movement” to block the concert if it proceeded. In a Facebook post he declared that the Tyla show would not happen in Nigeria, accusing South African promoters and celebrities of staying silent on attacks against fellow Africans living in the country.
Opposing Viewpoint
Presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress rejected the boycott calls, insisting that Tyla should not be held responsible for the actions of individuals committing xenophobic violence. He argued that Nigerians should focus their anger on the real perpetrators and affirmed that “Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on.”
As of now, the reasons behind Lagos’s removal remain unclear, and no official clarification has been provided by Tyla’s representatives. The situation continues to evolve, reflecting broader tensions between Nigeria and South Africa over migration, treatment of foreigners and cultural exchange.
