A Nigerian law firm, Damilare Adenola and Co. Lawpractice (DACO LP Africa), has defended South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla’s planned performance in Lagos, urging Nigerians to channel their anger over xenophobic attacks in South Africa toward the governments of both countries rather than the artiste.
The firm’s position follows growing calls on social media to boycott Tyla’s A’POP World Tour concert scheduled for December 22, 2026, in Lagos. Critics argue that the concert should not go ahead amid renewed attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.
In a statement signed by its Managing Partner, Damilare Adenola, DACO LP Africa acknowledged the pain caused by repeated xenophobic attacks but maintained that holding Tyla responsible for actions she neither committed nor endorsed amounts to collective punishment.
According to the law firm, both Nigeria and South Africa are signatories to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protects freedom of expression and the right to work. It argued that Tyla has the legal right to perform and earn a living regardless of her government’s actions.
The firm stressed that no legal principle requires a private citizen to publicly condemn the policies or actions of their government before exercising their economic rights. However, it added that its stance would change if credible evidence ever emerged linking the singer to support for or involvement in violence against Nigerians.
DACO LP Africa also described Tyla’s planned Lagos concert as a symbol of African cultural integration, noting that Nigerian artistes such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido and Asake regularly perform in South Africa and benefit from the continent’s entertainment industry.
The law firm called on the South African government to prosecute those responsible for xenophobic attacks and strengthen protections for foreign nationals. It also urged the Nigerian government to intensify diplomatic efforts to safeguard its citizens abroad and pursue stronger bilateral and regional measures where necessary.
While suggesting that Tyla and her management could voluntarily express solidarity with affected Nigerians, the firm insisted that such a statement should not be made a condition for her performance.
The controversy has generated mixed reactions online. Author and media personality Solomon Buchi and several social media users have urged Nigerians to boycott the concert, arguing that supporting a South African artiste while Nigerians continue to face attacks in South Africa sends the wrong message.
Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), also opposed the concert, declaring that it should not hold while Nigerians continue to face xenophobic violence and legal challenges in South Africa.
On the other hand, human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore criticised the boycott campaign, arguing that entertainers should not be blamed for the failures of governments or the actions of criminals. He urged Nigerians to focus on demanding accountability from political leaders.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already engaged South African authorities over the recent attacks, calling for the protection of Nigerians living in the country and the prosecution of those responsible. South African authorities have condemned the violence, insisting that the attacks are criminal acts rather than state policy and pledging to improve the safety of all residents.
As of the time of reporting, Tyla had not publicly responded to the boycott campaign or the renewed xenophobic attacks, while organisers have not announced any changes to the scheduled Lagos concert.
