Nigerian Celebrities Launch Online Campaign Against Tyla’s Planned Lagos Concert

A growing number of Nigerians, including several celebrities and social media personalities, have launched an online campaign opposing South African singer Tyla’s planned concert in Lagos, citing ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.

The campaign, which has been circulating under the slogan “South Africa thinks we’re fools,” emerged days after organisers announced that Tyla is scheduled to perform in Lagos in December.

Supporters of the campaign argue that South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence targeting immigrants, including Nigerians, and have also accused the country of making it difficult for some Nigerian musicians to gain entry.

Many of those backing the campaign have also criticised Tyla for not publicly addressing the attacks on her social media platforms.

Media personality Do2dtun expressed his opposition in a post on X, writing: “If you stand for anything or not, good for you but if you go for that Tyla’s show then you are a bastard.”

He also referenced Burna Boy’s previous experiences in South Africa, stating: “Burna was issued a warning; threatened to be killed years ago if he ever stepped foot in SA over his stance against AKA’s xenophobic stance. What did you all do about it? Instead you crucified your own. We did absolutely nothing. They didn’t care. He took it like a gee; moved on and still became a global star. You all forgot?”

Do2dtun added: “But my Nigerians will rather blame people that suddenly take a stance on an artiste that come from a country that constantly desecrate on your national identity and treat Africans in the most inhumane way. Nigeria is the republic of docile and complacent people. We only know how to blow grammar.”

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Pere Egbi also weighed in, calling on the Nigeria Immigration Service to deny Tyla and her team entry into the country.

In a post on X, he wrote: “Nigerian @nigimmigration we are collectively imploring you to intentionally deny Tyla and her team visas as well. They can’t do this to our own and we welcome their own. Madness must match madness.”

Author and commentator Solomon Buchi also criticised the planned concert in a video shared on Instagram.

“Tyla is scheduled to perform in Nigeria this December, and that show must not happen. This is one time that Nigerians have to come together and stand for something,” he said.

He continued: “Not after the xenophobic attacks that we saw in South Africa and how immigrants and especially Nigerians are treated. Not one word from Tyla and not even performative activism from her. She never spoke about it and all of a sudden, she wants to have a show in Nigeria. That’s very insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians.”

Content creator Sea King also voiced his opposition, writing on Instagram: “I disagree with anyone supporting Tyla that her show in Nigeria must hold and I support everyone saying we should boycott her concert. The organizers of this event are too useless and can’t read the room.”

Digital creator Izzy Ogbeide also criticised the planned event, blaming the Nigerian government for what he described as a weak response to the treatment of Nigerians abroad.

Writing in Pidgin English, he said: “Na Tinubu Fail Us, If Not This Thing Wey Nor Talk About The Attacks On Nigeria Nor Go See Mouth Take Say She Dey Come Nigeria.”

He added: “Tyla Ogun Kee Your Mama, So You Dey Do World Tour To Nigeria Nai You Nor Condemn The Act Of Xenophobic Attack Against Nigeria And Other Africa Countries.”

Another digital creator, D English Alhaji, also urged organisers to cancel the event.

He wrote: “Tyla’s show in Nigeria must not hold. She is not welcome here. She is required to perform in her country, given her refusal to condemn the attack against Nigerians and other Africans in her country. If she believes we are jesting, we invite her to come forward.”

The campaign has continued to generate debate on social media, with supporters calling for a boycott of the concert, while others argue that individual artists should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments or fellow citizens.

Neither Tyla nor her representatives had publicly responded to the campaign at the time of reporting.