South Africa has asked Nigeria to show proof that singer Ayra Starr and her team were denied visas in 2024. The request came after Nigerian leaders called for equal treatment of South African musicians following Tyla’s decision to remove Lagos from her world tour.

South Africa questions visa claim

South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, said officials could not find any record indicating that Ayra Starr or her team applied for visas and were rejected.

He asked people making the claim to provide details so the government could look into the matter.

“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,” Moroe said.

He added that officials would investigate the issue if they received the necessary information.

Nigerian leaders seek equal treatment

Moroe’s comments came after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Federal Government and the Nigeria Immigration Service to review visa requests from South African musicians.

She said Nigeria should take similar action if reports that South Africa denied visas to Ayra Starr and her team prove true.

“If it is confirmed that our Nigerian artiste Ayra Starr and her team were denied entry visas to South Africa, leading to the cancellation of their engagements, then Nigeria should respond with equivalent measures until Nigerian citizens and artistes are accorded fair and respectful treatment,” the senator said.

She also made it clear that her comments were not aimed at Tyla.

“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,” she added.

Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole also urged Nigerian officials to carefully review visa requests from South African musicians and their teams.

How the issue began

Reports said Ayra Starr and members of her team could not get visas for concerts in Johannesburg and Cape Town in February 2024.

Event organiser Steyn Entertainment said problems with travel documents forced the shows to be cancelled. The company later refunded ticket holders.

Tyla’s Lagos show fuels fresh debate

The issue returned this week after Tyla removed Lagos from the schedule of her A*POP World Tour.

The move followed a boycott campaign by some Nigerians over fresh attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.

The planned December 22 Lagos concert no longer appears on Tyla’s official ticket website. Tyla and her management have not explained why the show was removed.