South African singer Tyla is to set off on a world tour promoting her new album
Just days after South African singer Tyla released the dates for her upcoming world tour, Nigeria has been removed from the list of destinations.
On Monday, the Grammy winner announced details of her headline tour in the wake of last week's release of her second album A*POP.
Her official website initially named 34 cities, including Lagos, Johannesburg and Cape Town, where she would be performing, but by Friday, an updated list was published without the Nigerian city.
No reason has been given for the change but there have been growing calls in Nigeria for the 24-year-old to cancel her concert in the country over the recent wave of anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa.
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa soured recently over allegations that Nigerians have been the target of xenophobic violence.
Nigeria, alongside other African countries, has accused South Africa of not doing enough to deal with attacks on foreign nationals.
There have also been a series of protests with people calling for all undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. Tens of thousands of foreigners have left the country, including Nigerians, many of whom boarded specially chartered repatriation flights.
While there have been diplomatic efforts to calm tensions, most recently with a meeting between their foreign affairs officials in Abuja, the issue has spread beyond politics.
On Wednesday, an online petition titled "Ban Tyla from entering Nigeria until xenophobic attacks stop in South Africa" was launched in Nigeria and it has already attracted thousands of signatures.
On Tyla's social media pages, where the initial tour dates still appear, Nigerians cautioned her against performing in the country as they criticised her for failing to speak out against the protests in South Africa.
Tyla has so far not responded to a BBC request for comment.
Tyla is not the only South African artist facing a backlash for their seeming silence on the anti-migrant protests.
Comedian Trevor Noah also came under fire following an advert he fronted for the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.
The promotional clip, shared across the council's various social media accounts, generated many comments criticising the former Daily Show host for promoting South Africa but failing to call out xenophobic attitudes.
Users even went as far as to add context under the video saying South Africa was "a xenophobic country [that] doesn't allow visiting migrants".
The South African government has pushed back on the growing wave of criticism. It says that it does deal with anyone who takes the law into their own hands, pointing out that more than 900 people were arrested after recent protests, but that it has a right to control migration into the country.
South Africa investigates death of Nigerian who collapsed during arrest
Thousands of anti-migrant protesters march in South Africa amid heavy police presence
Nigeria evacuates citizens from South Africa as anti-migrant sentiment rises
Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, external, on Facebook at BBC Africa, external or on Instagram at bbcafrica, external
Focus on Africa
This Is Africa
Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC
Ex-funeral director sentenced to 20 years after failing to bury and cremate dozens of people
Police fear further victims in funeral home horror
About 60,000 migrants arrive in Ceuta in 24 hours, Spanish territory's leader says
What your summer reading list says about you
Satellite images show impact of heatwaves and drought on UK landscape
Glasgow gets starring role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day film
'I pay £580 a month to live in a disused care home': Property guardians show us around
Where to see the biggest solar eclipse since 1999
Weekly quiz: Why was a French teenager fined for licking a straw?
How police are trying to divert teen hackers away from crime
Miles of film and a bulb as hot as the sun – projecting The Odyssey
Get news, tips and ideas for your family with our Summer Essential newsletter
Davis and his team return to tackle a complex case
What's the best way to keep your home cool?
A twisty mystery starring Nikki Amuka‑Bird and John Simm
Unmasking the criminals hiding behind deepfakes
Passenger on British Airways mayday flight describes fear and shout of 'I don't want to die'
About 60,000 migrants arrive in Ceuta in 24 hours, Spanish territory's leader says
Sainsbury's agrees to sell Argos for £120m
Southport killer charged with prison attacks and possessing weapon
Four climbers killed and six feared missing after avalanche hit Nirmal Purja's team
Police fear further victims in funeral home horror
'I pay £580 a month to live in a disused care home': Property guardians show us around
Anthropic's Claude AI escapes to hack into three organisations
Glasgow gets starring role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day film
Weekly quiz: Why was a French teenager fined for licking a straw?
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
About the Author
