By Oscar Okhifo

Nigerian social media influencer and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has sparked widespread debate after calling on Nigerians to boycott the planned concert of South African music star Tyla.

VDM made the call in a Facebook post on Thursday, urging Nigerians to withhold support for the event over what he described as the recurring mistreatment of Nigerians in South Africa.

“I call on Nigerians to boycott Tyla’s planned concert in Nigeria,” he wrote.

He argued that Nigerians should reconsider supporting entertainers from countries where they believe Nigerian citizens have repeatedly faced hostility and xenophobic attacks.

The post quickly went viral, triggering intense reactions across social media platforms, with users divided over the appropriateness of the proposed boycott.

Supporters of the campaign argued that Nigerians have the right to take a firm stand whenever fellow citizens are subjected to discrimination or violence abroad. They maintained that withdrawing support from foreign entertainers could serve as a form of peaceful protest and draw attention to longstanding concerns over Nigeria–South Africa relations.

However, many others rejected the call, insisting that music should promote unity rather than deepen divisions.

“Music should unite Africans, not divide us,” one social media user wrote.

Another added, “Tyla is an artist, not a government official. Boycotting her concert will not solve diplomatic issues.”

Among the prominent voices opposing the boycott is politician and publisher Omoyele Sowore, who urged Nigerians not to direct their frustrations at the South African singer.

According to Sowore, the country’s pressing challenges stem from poor governance and corruption rather than foreign entertainers.

He argued that Nigerians should hold their political leaders accountable instead of targeting artists who have no role in shaping government policies.

Others who opposed the boycott echoed similar sentiments, noting that Nigerian musicians have enjoyed immense support in South Africa over the years. They warned that retaliatory actions could undermine African cultural exchange and weaken the spirit of continental unity fostered through music and entertainment.

Some commentators adopted a middle ground, saying public figures are entitled to express their opinions and mobilise support for causes they believe in, provided such campaigns do not encourage violence, hatred or discrimination.

Tyla, one of Africa’s fastest-rising music stars, is scheduled to perform in Lagos as part of a major entertainment event.

As of the time of filing this report, the award-winning South African singer had not publicly responded to VDM’s comments.

Nigeria and South Africa have periodically experienced diplomatic and social tensions, particularly over past xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, including Nigerians. Those incidents have repeatedly sparked public outrage and calls for stronger diplomatic action.

As reactions continue to pour in across X, Facebook and Instagram, the controversy surrounding Tyla’s proposed Lagos concert has become one of Nigeria’s most talked-about entertainment stories, highlighting the growing influence of social media personalities on public discourse and the intersection of nationalism, activism and popular culture.