Reports that South African pop star Tyla has cancelled her scheduled Lagos concert on 22 December 2026 have triggered renewed debate across Africa’s entertainment industry, although neither the singer nor her management has publicly confirmed the cancellation.
The Lagos show was listed as part of Tyla’s A-Pop world tour. The reports emerged after some Nigerians criticised the artiste following recent xenophobic tensions involving Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa, with critics arguing that African performers benefit from Nigeria’s large music market while concerns remain about the treatment of Nigerian artistes in South Africa.
The controversy intensified after comparisons were drawn with reports that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr had previously faced visa-related difficulties when travelling to South Africa. Influencers, commentators and some public officials in Nigeria questioned whether there should be reciprocal treatment in such situations.
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The discussion has since spread beyond Nigeria and South Africa, drawing attention across the continent, including in Ghana, where fans have been closely following developments involving two of Africa’s most influential music markets. As of now, Tyla has not issued an official statement addressing the reported cancellation or the controversy surrounding it.
