South African Grammy winning singer Tyla has quietly removed Lagos from the schedule of her upcoming APOP World Tour.
The move comes days after mounting calls by some Nigerians for a boycott of her planned concert over renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The Lagos concert, initially scheduled for December 22, 2026, no longer appears on the official tour itinerary released by the singer.
The development has fueled speculation that public pressure may have influenced the decision.
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However, neither Tyla nor her management has explained why the Nigerian stop was removed.
There is a cloud of uncertainty over whether the decision was prompted by the boycott campaign, logistical challenges or other undisclosed reasons.
The development follows an intense social media campaign by some Nigerians who had urged the award winning singer to suspend the Lagos performance as a show of solidarity with victims of the latest wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
The campaign gathered pace after disturbing reports emerged of attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in parts of South Africa.
It has also reignited diplomatic and public concerns over a problem that has repeatedly strained relations between Africa’s two largest economies.
Many Nigerians argued that proceeding with a concert in Lagos while fellow citizens were allegedly being attacked in South Africa would be insensitive unless there was a clear condemnation of the violence.
Although Tyla has not publicly addressed the controversy, the disappearance of Lagos from the tour schedule has attracted widespread reactions online.
Supporters and critics have offered differing interpretations of the decision.
The incident adds another chapter to the long history of xenophobia related tensions between Nigeria and South Africa.
The tension has repeatedly spilled beyond diplomacy into business, entertainment and sports.
Relations between the two countries have periodically come under strain since the end of apartheid but particularly in the recent time.
Despite assurances, fresh incidents have continued to trigger public outrage across Nigeria whenever reports of attacks emerge.
The entertainment industry has also not been immune to the diplomatic tensions.
Previous editions of entertainment events involving South African artistes have attracted criticism from sections of the Nigerian public whenever xenophobic attacks coincided with scheduled performances.
Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest music markets and has played a significant role in the continental success of several South African artists.
The two countries have, in recent years, witnessed increasing collaboration between musicians, producers and record labels, making the latest development particularly significant within Africa’s entertainment landscape.
Tyla, whose global profile soared after the international success of her hit single “Water,” has emerged as one of South Africa’s biggest contemporary music exports.
Her rise has been marked by several international accolades, including a Grammy Award, while her tours have attracted growing audiences across multiple continents.
As of Friday, there was no indication that the Lagos concert had been rescheduled, while ticket holders and fans were awaiting clarification from the singer’s management.
News Credit to our media partner DailyTrust Home .
