Nigerians Divided Over Boycott of Tyla's Lagos Concert

Nigerians are divided over calls to boycott a scheduled December 22 concert in Lagos by Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla as part of her APOP World Tour. The backlash follows renewed outrage over xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, specifically the reported death of Nigerian national Chika Ibeh during a South African Police Service operation in Cape Town. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is currently investigating the incident.

Critics argue that welcoming a South African artist is inappropriate while Nigerians face violence and police brutality in South Africa, citing Tyla's silence on the issue as problematic. In response to broader unrest, the Government of Nigeria has previously urged South Africa to protect its citizens and repatriated approximately 1,490 Nigerians.

Other Nigerians contend that entertainment should remain separate from diplomatic tensions. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore rejected the boycott, arguing that an artist should not be held vicariously liable for xenophobia or government failures. Sowore stated that anger should be directed toward political leaders, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, rather than entertainers.