Tyla Cancels Lagos Concert After Backlash Over Xenophobia Debate

South African music star Tyla has cancelled her planned concert in Lagos after quietly removing the Nigerian date from the official itinerary of her A*POP World Tour. The Lagos performance, originally scheduled for December 22, 2026, no longer appears on the tour schedule published on her official platforms.

The decision follows several days of intense criticism from some Nigerians, who argued that the concert should not go ahead amid renewed reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.

Backlash Grew Online

The controversy began shortly after Tyla announced her world tour, which initially included Lagos as one of its African stops.

Social media users, activists and some public figures questioned the timing of the concert, arguing that Nigerians should not warmly receive South African entertainers while concerns about the safety of Nigerians in South Africa remain unresolved. Calls for a boycott quickly gained traction across several online platforms.

No Official Explanation Yet

As of Friday, neither Tyla nor her management team has publicly explained why the Lagos date was removed.

While many observers believe the cancellation is connected to the backlash, no official statement has confirmed the reason for the decision.

Debate Divides Opinion

The development has sparked mixed reactions.

Some Nigerians welcomed the removal of the Lagos show, describing it as a response to growing public sentiment over xenophobia and the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa.

Others argued that artists should not be held personally responsible for the actions of governments or criminal groups, warning that cultural exchanges should not become casualties of diplomatic or social disputes.

Broader Diplomatic Context

The cancellation comes amid renewed diplomatic discussions between Nigeria and South Africa over attacks on foreign nationals.

Although both governments have pledged to strengthen cooperation and address security concerns, public frustration has increasingly spilled into the entertainment industry, with artists becoming part of a wider debate over reciprocity and continental solidarity.