A growing number of Nigerian celebrities and social media users have launched an online campaign opposing South African singer Tyla’s planned concert in Lagos, citing the continued xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African immigrants in South Africa.
The campaign, which has gained momentum across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and other social media platforms, emerged shortly after organisers announced that the Grammy-winning singer would perform in Lagos later this year.
Many critics argue that the concert should not proceed unless concerns surrounding the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa are addressed.
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Fans can find official updates about Tyla and her music on her official website
Campaign gathers momentum
The campaign, widely shared under the phrase “South Africa thinks we’re fools,” has attracted support from several public figures who believe Nigerians should boycott the concert.
Supporters of the movement argue that numerous Nigerians have been victims of xenophobic violence in South Africa over the years, while many also claim Nigerian entertainers have faced difficulties entering the country.
Several participants in the campaign questioned why Tyla had not publicly commented on the attacks despite her global influence.
It is important to note that Tyla has not publicly responded to the campaign or the criticism at the time of publication.
Do2dtun speaks out
Popular Nigerian media personality Do2dtun was among the first celebrities to publicly support the campaign.
Writing on X, he criticised anyone planning to attend the concert and recalled previous controversies involving Nigerian artists in South Africa.
He referenced Burna Boy’s previous disputes connected to xenophobia, arguing that Nigerians had failed to adequately support local artists who spoke out against violence targeting immigrants.
His comments quickly generated thousands of reactions online.
Pere Egbi calls for visa denial
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Pere Egbi also weighed in on the issue.
He called on the Nigeria Immigration Service to refuse visas for Tyla and members of her team.
According to Pere, reciprocity should apply if Nigerian entertainers encounter travel difficulties when attempting to enter South Africa.
His statement further intensified debate across social media.
Solomon Buchi questions silence
Author and media personality Solomon Buchi also criticised the planned concert.
Speaking in a video shared on Instagram, he questioned why Tyla had not publicly condemned xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals.
According to him, many Nigerians found it difficult to separate entertainment from the broader political and humanitarian concerns surrounding the issue.
He argued that the timing of the Lagos concert had offended many people who expected greater solidarity from African celebrities.
Other creators join campaign
Several digital creators also voiced opposition to the concert.
Content creator Sea King described the decision to organise the event as poorly judged, urging organisers to recognise the current public mood.
Another creator, Izzy Ogbeide, blamed Nigerian authorities for failing to adequately defend the interests of Nigerians abroad.
Her comments, delivered partly in Pidgin English, were widely shared across multiple platforms.
Controversial comments
Among the reactions, some individuals made statements encouraging violence against concert attendees.
Those remarks have attracted criticism online.
While emotions surrounding xenophobic attacks remain strong, encouraging or threatening violence against individuals because they attend a public event is unlawful and dangerous.
Public disagreements and calls for boycotts can be expressed peacefully without resorting to threats or intimidation.
Tyla remains silent
As of the time of writing, Tyla has not issued any public statement addressing the campaign or responding to calls for her Lagos concert to be cancelled.
Likewise, the organisers of the event have not announced any changes to the planned performance.
The concert remains scheduled to take place in Lagos later this year.
Background
South Africa has experienced several waves of xenophobic violence over the past two decades, with foreign nationals, including Nigerians and other African migrants, among those affected.
The attacks have repeatedly strained diplomatic and public relations between South Africa and several African countries.
Previous incidents have prompted protests, calls for stronger diplomatic engagement and discussions about the safety of African migrants living in South Africa.
The latest online campaign reflects those lingering tensions and demonstrates how political and social issues can influence public reaction to entertainment events.
Whether the growing opposition will affect Tyla’s Lagos concert remains to be seen.
For now, the debate continues to divide opinions, with some fans defending the singer by arguing she should not be held personally responsible for actions committed by others, while critics insist public figures have a responsibility to speak out against violence and discrimination.
