Nigerian music star BNXN, formerly known as Buju, has issued a public apology following a major controversy at his recent concert in Lagos. The incident, which has sparked widespread criticism online, saw numerous fans denied entry to his 'BNXN Live in Concert' event despite holding paid tickets.
Concert Chaos at Landmark Event Centre
The concert took place at the Landmark Event Centre on December 9, 2025. Shortly after the event concluded, social media platforms were flooded with complaints from distressed attendees. They reported being turned away at the venue gates after being informed the hall was already at full capacity.
Many claimed they possessed valid tickets for which they had paid thousands of naira. The dominant accusation from the crowd was that the event organisers had oversold tickets and failed miserably at crowd management, leading to the frustrating lockout.
BNXN's Apology and Accusation Against Organisers
Reacting to the mounting backlash on X (formerly Twitter), BNXN did not mince words. He directly blamed the event organisers, Iconiq Fest, for the fiasco. In his post, the 'Finesse' singer accused them of prioritising profit over the well-being of his supporters.
"The show organizers prioritized profit over the safety of the fans, and it should never have been so," BNXN wrote. "I am so sorry to everyone who had a valid entry and still couldn’t make it into the show. I’d never want to put anyone that loves me or my music in that kind of reckless position and I sincerely apologize."
He suggested a simple solution to prevent such incidents, stating, "If tickets are sold out, close the purchase link. It could all be so simple." In a notable move to placate angry fans, BNXN personally refunded ₦250,000 to one affected fan who voiced their complaint on X.
Organisers' Defence: Fake Tickets and Capacity Limits
Hours after the singer's statement, Iconiq Fest released a detailed rebuttal. They pushed back against claims of negligence, insisting the event was properly planned and managed.
According to their statement, the concert was completely sold out and those inside enjoyed a seamless performance. They maintained that ticket availability updates were regularly posted on their official channels, including alerts when sales reached 80% capacity and when they sold out completely.
The organisers argued that a significant number of the entry issues stemmed from fake tickets and purchases made through unauthorised vendors outside the venue. They claimed to have identified individuals selling counterfeit tickets and handed them over to security.
Iconiq Fest explained that entry was halted once the venue reached full capacity, a decision driven by safety protocols, especially after an incident involving a glass door at one entry point. "Attendees who arrived early and presented valid tickets purchased through official channels were granted entry," the statement read. They expressed sympathy but clarified they could not be held responsible for tickets bought from unofficial sources.
A Recurring Problem for Nigerian Concert-Goers
This is not an isolated incident in Nigeria's entertainment scene this year. Just a week prior, similar safety concerns erupted at Fola's 'What a Feeling' concert, organised by Mainland Blockparty. That event also reportedly exceeded venue capacity, creating unsafe conditions.
Fola's label, Dangbana Republik, acknowledged the failure and confirmed the performance was stopped once fan safety was jeopardised. Fola himself apologised, emphasising that safety must come before the show.
With these back-to-back incidents highlighting safety lapses, denied entry, and ticketing failures, fans and observers are increasingly calling for stricter regulation, more transparent ticketing systems, and better coordination between artists and event planners to protect attendees and prevent future occurrences.
