South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla has removed Lagos from the schedule of her APOP World Tour, days after her planned December 22 concert sparked calls for a boycott over renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
A check of Tyla’s official tour website by PUNCH Online on Friday showed that the Lagos date, previously listed for December 22, had been removed. The updated schedule retains her other dates across Europe, North America and South Africa.
Tyla had announced Lagos as the only Nigerian stop on the tour, which is scheduled to end with performances in Cape Town on January 4 and Johannesburg on January 9.
The planned concert triggered mixed reactions, with some Nigerians calling for a boycott in protest against reported xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The controversy escalated after activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, threatened to mobilise members of his “Ratel Movement” to stop the concert.
In a Facebook post, Otse declared, “TYLA SHOW WILL NOT BE HAPPENING IN NIGERIA,” while calling for solidarity against xenophobic attacks.
However, 2027 African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore opposed the boycott, urging Nigerians not to blame Tyla for xenophobia.
“Nigerians should direct their anger at their real enemies… No one should hold a talented musician like @Tyllaaaaaaa vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia,” Sowore wrote on X, insisting that “Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on.”
The removal comes amid renewed concerns over attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, including reports of the death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe in Cape Town.
As of the time of filing, neither Tyla nor her management had explained the removal of Lagos from the tour schedule. The concert promoters have also not announced a cancellation or postponement.
