Tyla’s Lagos Concert Removed from A*POP World Tour Amid Boycott Calls Over Xenophobia

Just days after announcing a December 22 Lagos date on her first world tour, South African star Tyla quietly removed Nigeria from the itinerary following intense boycott campaigns linked to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

What was supposed to be one of the biggest moments of Nigeria’s Detty December calendar has been scrubbed from the schedule. In late July 2026, Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla announced her APOP World Tour in support of her sophomore album APOP. The 34-date run included major stops across Europe, the UK, North America, and Africa — with Lagos listed for December 22, 2026, as the first African date, followed by Cape Town and Johannesburg in early 2027. The Lagos announcement was initially celebrated by many fans as a major homecoming-style moment for the continent. Within days, however, the conversation shifted dramatically. The Backlash A wave of online calls for a boycott emerged across Nigerian social media. Critics pointed to renewed reports of xenophobic attacks and anti-migrant violence targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa. Many argued that Tyla had remained silent on the issue and that hosting a major South African artist in Nigeria at this moment felt insensitive. Prominent voices amplified the campaign:

Content creator Solomon Buchi urged Nigerians not to support the show. Activist VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse) threatened to mobilise his Ratel Movement to prevent the concert, stating it “will not be happening in Nigeria.” Media personality Do2dtun called on the Nigeria Immigration Service to deny visas to Tyla and her team. An online petition seeking to ban Tyla from entering Nigeria until the attacks stopped gathered thousands of signatures.

Not everyone agreed. Some figures, including activist Omoyele Sowore, argued that artists should not be held responsible for government failures or the actions of criminals in their home countries, insisting political grievances should be directed at elected leaders rather than musicians. The Quiet Removal By July 31, Lagos had disappeared from Tyla’s official tour website and ticketing platforms. The South African dates (Cape Town and Johannesburg) remained listed. Neither Tyla nor her management has issued a public statement explaining the change. It is still unclear whether the decision was driven purely by the boycott pressure, logistical concerns, or other factors. The episode has reignited broader conversations about the intersection of entertainment, national solidarity, and diplomatic tensions between Africa’s two largest economies. It also highlights the growing complexity of international touring on the continent, where cultural events can quickly become flashpoints for political and social issues. For now, Tyla’s A*POP World Tour will proceed without a Nigerian stop. What was meant to be a celebratory Detty December highlight has instead become another chapter in the ongoing strain between Nigeria and South Africa — one that left fans on both sides of the debate waiting for answers that have yet to come. Keep it locked to NXWAVE for more on the culture and the conversations shaping the next wave.