Tyla Cancels Lagos Concert Amid Xenophobia Boycott Calls

Tyla Laura Seethal, a South African Grammy-winning singer, has canceled her planned concert in Lagos, Nigeria, scheduled for December 22, as part of her APOP World Tour. This decision follows widespread calls from Nigerians to boycott the concert due to renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

The updated tour schedule, confirmed on her official website, shows that while performances in Europe, North America, and South Africa remain unchanged, Nigeria has been excluded. The controversy arose after Tyla announced Lagos as the only Nigerian destination before concluding her tour in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.

Many Nigerians opposed the concert, citing ongoing violence against their nationals in South Africa, while others, including Omoyele Sowore, the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, argued that Tyla should not be held accountable for xenophobic violence. Activist Martins Otse threatened to mobilize his Ratel Movement to prevent the concert, emphasizing solidarity against xenophobia.