“Very Insulting to the Intelligence of Nigerians” — Tyla’s Lagos Show Triggers South Africa Backlash
South African singer Tyla’s planned December concert in Lagos has come under growing pressure, with Nigerian celebrities and online commentators calling for the event to be boycotted over the treatment of Nigerians and other African immigrants in South Africa.
The campaign gained attention on Wednesday, days after the announcement of Tyla’s Lagos performance.
Those opposed to the concert say the singer should not be welcomed to Nigeria at a time when xenophobic attacks in South Africa remain a source of concern.
Much of the criticism has centred on Tyla’s silence. Some of the campaigners argue that the singer has not publicly condemned attacks involving Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, yet plans to stage a commercial concert in Lagos.
Popular OAP Do2dtun was among those who spoke strongly against the event. He referred to the controversy surrounding Burna Boy in South Africa years ago and questioned why Nigerians had failed to stand more firmly behind the singer when he faced hostility over his position on xenophobia.
Do2dtun argued that Nigerians had repeatedly been too passive in situations where their fellow citizens were treated unfairly abroad.
BBNaija star Pere Egbi also waded into the controversy, calling on the Nigeria Immigration Service to deny Tyla and her team visas to enter the country.
He argued that Nigeria should respond firmly when Nigerians are subjected to what campaigners describe as unequal treatment in South Africa.
Content creator Solomon Buchi said Tyla’s concert should not go ahead.
“Tyla is scheduled to perform in Nigeria this December, and that show must not happen,” he said in an Instagram video.
Buchi said Tyla’s silence over the xenophobic attacks made her planned appearance in Lagos particularly troubling.
He described the singer’s decision to perform in Nigeria without addressing the controversy as “very insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians.”
For Buchi, the issue goes beyond music. He said Nigerians should come together and make a statement about how their fellow citizens are treated outside the country.
Content creator Sea King also backed calls for a boycott, saying he disagreed with those insisting that Tyla’s show must hold.
He criticised the organisers for proceeding with the concert despite the growing public anger, urging Nigerians who shared the concerns to stay away from the event.
Izzy Ogbeide, meanwhile, directed some of her criticism at the Nigerian government. She blamed President Bola Tinubu for what she described as a failure to adequately defend Nigerians facing attacks abroad.
Digital creator Isa Bako also criticised Tyla’s silence on the issue. However, his call for people attending the concert to be physically attacked crossed into a call for violence and has no place in legitimate public protest.
Another digital creator, D English Alhaji, said Tyla should not be welcomed to Nigeria, arguing that her failure to condemn the attacks had made her planned concert unacceptable to many Nigerians.
The controversy has since opened up a wider discussion about the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa and whether entertainment should continue as normal when diplomatic and social tensions remain unresolved.
Those supporting the boycott believe Nigeria has enough cultural and commercial influence to demand reciprocal respect for its citizens.
Others may contend that Tyla should not be held personally responsible for the actions of governments or individuals in her home country.
For now, the campaign has turned what was expected to be a major entertainment event into a debate over solidarity, reciprocity and the responsibility of public figures to speak when their communities are under pressure.
And with the concert still scheduled for December, the question facing Nigerians is no longer simply whether Tyla will perform in Lagos, but whether they are willing to show up for her.
About The Author
Leave a comment