South Africa Seeks Proof of Ayra Starr's Visa Denial

South Africa's Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has requested evidence to support allegations that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr and her team were denied visas to enter South Africa.

Moroe stated that South African immigration authorities have no record of any visa application or rejection related to Ayra Starr. He urged those making the claims to provide specific names and application reference numbers for verification.

This request comes after Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan called for the Nigeria Immigration Service to apply reciprocity in visa applications for South African entertainers, clarifying her stance was not aimed at Tyla personally. Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole also supported scrutiny of visa requests from South African entertainers.

The controversy arose after reports indicated that Ayra Starr was denied visas in February 2024, leading to the cancellation of her planned concerts in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The situation intensified when South African singer Tyla removed her Lagos concert from her tour schedule following a Nigerian boycott linked to xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.