Solomon Buchi Calls for Boycott of Tyla’s Nigeria Concert Over Xenophobia Concerns
Nigerian content creator Solomon Buchi has called on Nigerians to boycott South African singer Tyla’s upcoming concert in Nigeria, arguing that the artist’s silence on xenophobia in South Africa should not be ignored.
In a video shared on Instagram, Buchi urged Nigerians to unite behind what he described as an important cause, saying the planned concert should not go ahead.
Buchi criticised Tyla for not publicly addressing xenophobic attacks involving African migrants in South Africa, particularly incidents affecting Nigerians. He argued that her silence has become more significant as she prepares to perform in Nigeria.
According to Buchi, the issue is not about a personal dispute with Tyla but about Nigerians using their collective voice to respond to what they consider important issues affecting their fellow citizens.
He said the planned performance could be viewed as disrespectful to Nigerians who still remember incidents of violence and mistreatment involving migrants in South Africa.
Buchi’s comments come amid renewed discussions about xenophobia and the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa. The country has experienced several major outbreaks of xenophobic violence over the years, including incidents in 2008, 2015 and 2019.
Those attacks affected migrants from several African countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Somalia and Ethiopia. Some foreign nationals were attacked, displaced from their homes and, in some cases, killed.
The issue has remained sensitive in Nigeria, where concerns about the safety and treatment of Nigerian citizens living in South Africa have repeatedly sparked public and diplomatic reactions.
More recently, anti-migrant protests and attacks have again raised concerns about xenophobia in parts of South Africa. Reports of foreign nationals being targeted have renewed calls for stronger action against discrimination and violence.
Buchi also referred to previous tensions between South Africa and Zimbabwe, claiming that South African artists had faced calls for boycotts in Zimbabwe during periods of disagreement linked to xenophobia.
He insisted that his criticism was not motivated by hatred towards Tyla. Instead, he said Nigerians should use the situation to demonstrate that their concerns deserve to be heard.
Buchi went as far as suggesting that Nigerians who still want to watch Tyla perform could travel to South Africa rather than attend her planned Nigerian concert.
His comments have generated strong reactions online, with some social media users supporting the proposed boycott and describing it as an opportunity for Nigerians to take a united position against xenophobia.
Some commenters called for the concert to be cancelled, while others echoed Buchi’s argument that Nigerians should use their influence as a collective audience.
Tyla has not, in the information provided, publicly responded to Buchi’s call for a boycott.
The controversy now adds a political and social dimension to the singer’s planned appearance in Nigeria, with the debate extending beyond music to questions of solidarity, xenophobia and how African entertainers respond to social issues affecting the continent.
As conversations continue online, attention is likely to remain on whether the proposed boycott gains wider support and whether Tyla or her representatives respond to the criticism.
