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Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has publicly opposed plans for South African singer Tyla to perform in Lagos later this year, warning concert organisers against going ahead with the event.
The outspoken commentator made his position known in a video shared on his official Facebook page on Thursday, where he argued that hosting the Grammy-winning singer in Nigeria would send the wrong message at a time when concerns over the treatment of Nigerians living in South Africa remain unresolved.
According to VeryDarkMan, it would be inappropriate for a South African artiste to profit from Nigerian fans while reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa continue to surface.
“There will be no Tyla concert in Nigeria. It is not happening. This is a warning to the organisers and the show promoters bringing Tyla to Nigeria. That show is not happening,” he declared.
Links Opposition To Chidinma Adetshina’s Case
In the video, VeryDarkMan also referenced the ongoing legal case involving Chidinma Adetshina, who is currently challenging deportation proceedings in a South African court.
He argued that the situation surrounding Adetshina, combined with previous incidents involving Nigerians in South Africa, makes the planned concert difficult to support.
“Not when Chidinma Adetshina is battling deportation in a South African court. Now you want to bring in Tyla and sell tickets so that Tyla will make money off Nigerians. The same Nigerians that South Africans hate so much,” he said.
The activist maintained that the entertainment event should not proceed until issues affecting Nigerians in South Africa are addressed.
Warns Organisers
Beyond criticising the planned concert, VeryDarkMan issued a direct warning to those organising the event.
He claimed that he and others would mobilise to prevent the concert from taking place if preparations continued despite the growing opposition.
“This is a warning to you. If you go ahead with that show, we will come to the venue and we will bring the show down,” he added.
His comments have since generated widespread reactions across social media, with supporters and critics debating whether entertainers should be held responsible for diplomatic and social issues between countries.
Concert Scheduled For December
Tyla’s Lagos performance is part of her upcoming world tour, which was recently unveiled by her management.
According to the tour schedule, the South African star is expected to perform in Lagos on December 22, 2026, making Nigeria one of several international stops on the tour.
The announcement initially generated excitement among music lovers eager to see the singer perform live after her global rise to fame with hit songs that have dominated international charts.
However, following the release of the schedule, conversations shifted online as some Nigerians questioned whether the concert should proceed in light of ongoing concerns over xenophobia.
Renewed Debate Over Xenophobia
Relations between Nigerians and South Africans have periodically been strained by reports of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
Over the years, several attacks on African migrants living in South Africa have attracted condemnation from governments, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens across the continent.
Although diplomatic efforts have sought to improve relations between both countries, incidents of hostility have continued to spark public outrage whenever they occur.
VeryDarkMan’s latest comments reflect growing calls from some Nigerians who believe stronger responses are needed whenever reports of attacks emerge.
Others, however, have argued that music and entertainment should remain separate from political and diplomatic disagreements, insisting that artistes should not be punished for actions attributed to individuals or groups.
Mixed Reactions Online
Following the video’s circulation, social media users expressed differing opinions on the matter.
While some backed VeryDarkMan’s position and supported calls for a boycott of the concert, others criticised his remarks, arguing that Tyla has never publicly endorsed xenophobic attacks and should not be blamed for broader issues affecting South Africa.
At the time of filing this report, neither Tyla nor the concert organisers had publicly responded to the activist’s comments.
Despite the controversy, the Lagos concert remains listed on the singer’s official tour schedule, with fans awaiting further updates from the organisers regarding the December event.
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