Prof. Bobby Moroe, South Africa's Consul-General to Nigeria, says his country's immigration authorities have no record of any visa application or refusal linked to singer Ayra Starr or her entourage. He has asked Nigerian officials to provide application details and reference numbers so that the matter can be properly investigated.
The response follows mounting pressure from Nigerian lawmakers demanding reciprocal visa measures against South African entertainers, sparked by reports of a 2024 visa denial and Tyla's recent removal of Lagos from her world tour.
No record of visa denial
Moroe insisted that South African immigration records contain nothing to support the claim. "The information currently available to South African authorities does not show that any application linked to Ayra Starr or her team was submitted or rejected," he said. He added that if the relevant details were provided, officials would be able to investigate and determine what actually transpired.
Senator calls for reciprocal action
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has urged the Federal Government and the Nigeria Immigration Service to apply the principle of reciprocity when reviewing visa applications from South African entertainers. She warned that if investigations confirm Ayra Starr and her team were denied entry visas, Nigeria should respond with equivalent measures until Nigerian citizens and artistes are given fair and respectful treatment.
"This is not a call against Tyla as an individual. Rather, it is a call for Nigeria to uphold the principle of mutual respect that underpins international relations," the senator added.
Oshiomhole adds his voice
Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has also weighed in, urging Nigerian authorities to thoroughly scrutinise visa requests from South African entertainers and their teams. His remarks add to the growing chorus of political figures pushing for a firm stance.
February 2024 concert cancellations
The current controversy has revived attention to the original incident. In February 2024, Ayra Starr and members of her team were reportedly denied visas ahead of planned performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Both concerts had to be cancelled due to the failure to secure the necessary travel documents.
At the time, concert organiser Steyn Entertainment explained that despite exploring every available option, the required documents could not be obtained. Ticket holders were subsequently issued refunds, but the incident remained a point of tension between the two countries.
Tyla's world tour route altered
The dispute escalated this week when South African singer Tyla quietly removed Lagos from the schedule of her A*POP World Tour. The planned December 22 concert no longer appears on her official ticketing platform, and neither Tyla nor her management has publicly explained the removal. The change followed a Nigerian boycott campaign triggered by renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
As of early August, no official response has been made to South Africa's request for proof of the visa denial, leaving the diplomatic dispute unresolved.
