Tyla Faces Nigeria Concert Boycott Calls As Solomon Buchi Questions Her Silence On Xenophobia
Nigerian author and content creator Solomon Buchi has called on his fellow citizens to boycott South African singer Tyla’s planned concert in Nigeria, arguing that attending the event would overlook years of xenophobic violence suffered by African migrants in South Africa.
In a video shared on Instagram, Buchi said Nigerians should use the occasion to make a statement about issues they believe have gone unaddressed.
“That show must not happen. This is the one time we have to come together and stand for something,” he said.
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Buchi Questions Tyla’s Silence
Buchi criticised the Grammy-winning artist for not publicly addressing xenophobic attacks that have affected foreign nationals living in South Africa, particularly Nigerians.
He said he expected influential public figures to speak out against violence directed at African migrants.
“Not after the xenophobia attacks that we saw in South Africa and how immigrants, especially Nigerian immigrants, were treated. Not one word from Tyla,” he said.
According to Buchi, allowing the concert to proceed without addressing those concerns would be disrespectful to Nigerians who still remember the impact of the attacks.
References To Past Xenophobic Violence
Buchi’s remarks come against the backdrop of recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa. Major outbreaks in 2008, 2015 and 2019 left foreign nationals, including Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Somalis and Ethiopians, displaced, injured and, in some cases, dead.
More recently, anti-migrant protests and attacks in parts of the country have once again raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals, prompting renewed debate and diplomatic unease between South Africa and Nigeria.
Buchi also claimed that South African musicians had previously faced boycotts in Zimbabwe during periods of heightened tensions linked to xenophobia.
“It’s Bigger Than Tyla”
While calling for a boycott, Buchi insisted that his comments were not directed at Tyla personally but were intended to encourage Nigerians to take a collective stand.
“It’s not about Tyla. I have no beef with her. It’s about coming together as people and saying, ‘No, we have a voice, and that voice matters.'”
He went on to suggest that fans determined to watch Tyla perform should travel to South Africa instead.
“If Nigerians are really fans of Tyla, they should apply for a South African visa and go see her there. That show must not happen in Nigeria.”