Popular South African singer Tyla is facing mounting opposition from Nigerians ahead of her scheduled December concert in Lagos, with celebrities, media personalities, and social media users calling for the event to be boycotted over ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.
The campaign, which has gained traction online under the slogan “South Africa Thinks We’re Fools,” comes amid renewed anger over attacks that have claimed the lives of several Nigerians and other African immigrants in South Africa.
Many critics argue that Tyla has remained silent on the recurring xenophobic violence despite her international platform, questioning her decision to stage a concert in Nigeria without publicly addressing the issue.
Among those backing the campaign is popular media personality Do2dtun, who criticised Nigerians willing to attend the concert. He recalled how Nigerian music star Burna Boy reportedly faced threats in South Africa because of his stance against xenophobia, lamenting what he described as Nigerians’ failure to support their own artistes during similar controversies.
Reality TV star Pere Egbi also joined the conversation, urging the Nigeria Immigration Service to deny Tyla and her team entry visas, arguing that Nigerian artistes have faced similar restrictions when attempting to perform in South Africa.
Author and social commentator Solomon Buchi described Tyla’s planned concert as “insulting,” insisting that Nigerians should unite to reject the event because the singer has not publicly condemned the attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in her home country.
Content creator Sea King also expressed support for the boycott, saying the concert organisers had failed to appreciate the sensitivity of the current situation.
Another digital creator, Izzy Ogbeide, blamed the situation on what she described as the Nigerian government’s failure to adequately defend the country’s citizens and interests, while D English Alhaji also declared that Tyla should not be welcomed to perform in Nigeria until she addresses the xenophobic attacks.
Meanwhile, digital creator Isa Bako sparked controversy after calling on Nigerians to physically attack anyone who attends the concert. His remarks have drawn attention because they advocate violence against concertgoers.
As of the time of filing this report, Tyla and her management have not publicly responded to the growing calls for a boycott or the criticism over her silence on the xenophobic attacks.
The controversy continues to fuel debate online, with many Nigerians divided over whether entertainers should be held responsible for speaking out on political and social issues in their home countries.
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