South African Grammy-winning star Tyla has removed Lagos from the schedule of her upcoming world tour, fueling speculation after a growing online campaign in Nigeria called for a boycott of her planned performance. The change comes just days after the singer announced her global tour in support of her sophomore album, A*POP, with no official explanation provided for the removal of the Nigerian date.
Lagos Disappears From Updated Tour Schedule
When Tyla unveiled her world tour, her official itinerary featured 34 cities, including Lagos, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.
However, an updated version of the schedule published days later no longer included the Nigerian stop, prompting widespread reactions across social media.
Neither Tyla nor her management has publicly addressed the decision.
Boycott Campaign Gains Momentum
The development follows mounting criticism from some Nigerians over recent anti-migrant protests and xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
An online petition titled “Ban Tyla from entering Nigeria until xenophobic attacks stop in South Africa” gathered thousands of signatures after launching earlier this week.
Critics argued that the singer had remained silent on the issue despite her continental influence, while others urged her to cancel the concert altogether.
Politics and Music Collide
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa have remained strained in recent years over repeated incidents of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
Although both governments have engaged in diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, the issue has increasingly spilled into the entertainment industry, with South African artists facing criticism across parts of the continent.
Comedian Trevor Noah also recently faced backlash after appearing in a tourism campaign promoting South Africa, with critics questioning his silence on the migration debate.
Artists Shouldn’t Bear Political Burdens, Critics Say
Despite the backlash, several commentators have cautioned against holding musicians responsible for political disputes.
Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore argued that frustrations over xenophobia should be directed at governments rather than entertainers.
“No-one should hold a talented musician like Tyla vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia. Artistes are not responsible for the failures of politicians except where there is ample evidence they’re enablers.”
Culture journalist Mayowa Idowu echoed that view, noting that while calls for accountability are understandable, targeting artists risks diverting attention from the underlying political issues.
A Familiar Debate
This is not the first time Tyla has found herself at the center of Nigeria–South Africa tensions.
The singer won the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance twice within the category’s first three years, triumphing over several Nigerian stars, including Burna Boy and Davido. Those victories intensified fan rivalries between the continent’s two largest music markets, despite Tyla maintaining professional relationships with Nigerian artists throughout her career.
What’s Next?
For now, Lagos remains absent from Tyla’s tour schedule, and fans are awaiting an official explanation.
The situation highlights the increasingly complex intersection of entertainment, politics, and public expectations, raising broader questions about whether artists should be expected to publicly address diplomatic and social tensions beyond their music.
