Xenophobia in South Africa: Tyler’s gig in Lagos causes stir

By our reporter 28.7.2026
Against the background of xenophobic attacks by disgruntled citizens and crack down on African migrants by the South African government, the rest of the continent are calling for boycott of anything South Africa.
And this has also trickle down to affect “Water” Grammy Award winning singer Tyler who has a concert stop in Lagos as part of her APOP World Tour, which she announced on Monday. Tyler is scheduled to perform in Lagos on December 22, before heading to Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9. She also has dates in Europe and America.
However, music fans in Nigeria have questioned her appearance in Lagos in face of the violence unleashed on African migrants by her compatriots several Nigerians and other Africans have been and business destroyed. While some fans welcomed her others want her to reserve her show for only South Africans.
Reactions on X social media.
@Miz_Fey: “Any Nigerian who attends Tyla’s concert in Lagos is just as useless as the government btw.”
@FtoniaUc: “I don’t care what y’all say, with what went down and what is going down in South Africa against Nigerians, no South African artists should be hosting a concert or show in Nigeria. It’s the audacity for me!!”
@ManLikeIcey: “Tyla must never be allowed to tour in Lagos, I call on the Lagos State Government to look into this swiftly and make sure the tour doesn’t hold, she has never condemned xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.”
@BighomieRay: “If this concert holds successfully in Nigeria, then Nigerians are bunch of idiots. Go and see what SA police are doing to Nigerians. They recently killed a Nigerian. None of them have spoken against it.”
@Zynniae: “I’ll be so pissed if she’s allowed to come and people actually attend. Nigerians don’t know how to stand on business.”
@cea9275: “You’re fighting an illogical battle; political issues should never stop a musician from performing in the said country. And if you’re really passionate about this issue as you appear, why don’t you condemn Nigerian artists featuring SA artistes?”
@DoyeenOfLagos: “We are quick to blame govt, make govt come wash our bumbum after pooing? No be some people organise the event? No be some go attend the event? Na govt forced them to? That’s why politicians are treating us like this.”