A growing number of Nigerians, including celebrities and social media influencers, have launched a campaign opposing South African singer Tyla’s scheduled concert in Lagos, citing ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.
The campaign, tagged “South Africa Thinks We’re Fools,” emerged days after organisers announced Tyla’s December concert in Nigeria.
Tyla, who is South African, has come under criticism from some Nigerians for not publicly condemning the attacks, in which several Nigerians and other African migrants have reportedly been killed.
Some campaigners also accused South Africa of denying Nigerian artistes entry into the country while expecting Nigerian audiences to support South African performers.
Popular media personality Do2dtun expressed support for the campaign on X, criticising Nigerians who intend to attend the concert.
“If you stand for anything or not, good for you but if you go for that Tyla’s show then you are a bastard,” he wrote.
He also referenced previous threats allegedly directed at Nigerian singer Burna Boy over his stance on xenophobia in South Africa.
Reality TV star Pere Egbi called on the Nigeria Immigration Service to deny Tyla and her team entry visas.
“Nigerian @nigimmigration we are collectively imploring you to intentionally deny Tyla and her team visas as well. They can’t do this to our own and we welcome their own. Madness must match madness,” he wrote on X.
Author and commentator Solomon Buchi also opposed the planned concert, arguing that Tyla’s silence on the attacks made her planned performance in Nigeria inappropriate.
“Tyla is scheduled to perform in Nigeria this December, and that show must not happen. This is one time that Nigerians have to come together and stand for something,” he said in a video posted on Instagram.
Content creator Sea King also backed calls for a boycott, saying the organisers had failed to appreciate public sentiment.
“I disagree with anyone supporting Tyla that her show in Nigeria must hold and I support everyone saying we should boycott her concert. The organizers of this event are too useless and can’t read the room,” he said.
Digital creator Izzy Ogbeide blamed the situation on the Federal Government, arguing that Tyla would not have considered performing in Nigeria if authorities had taken a stronger stance against xenophobic attacks.
Meanwhile, digital creator Isa Bako, son of the late military governor of Akwa Ibom State, Colonel Yakubu Bako, sparked outrage after urging Nigerians to assault concert attendees. His comments have drawn criticism, as they advocate violence.
Another content creator, D English Alhaji, also declared that Tyla’s concert should not hold, insisting she was not welcome in Nigeria because she had failed to condemn the attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.
The campaign continues to gain traction on social media as calls mount for the organisers to reconsider the planned event.
