Rising Afrobeats star Fola apologizes after his first headline Lagos show ended abruptly due to overcrowding and safety concerns, saying fan safety comes first and promising to make things right.
Fola, the rising Nigerian Afrobeats singer, has apologised after his first headline concert in Lagos ended in chaos due to safety issues and overcrowding. The show, held on December 15 at the Balmoral Event Centre, was stopped midway when organisers realised the venue was beyond capacity and fans were at risk.
In a statement posted on social media, Fola said he was sorry for how the night unfolded and reiterated that fan safety is his priority. “My people, I’m really sorry about how last night went. People were hurt and that should never happen,” he wrote, adding that the decision to halt the concert was made with attendees’ well-being in mind.
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Reports say the event drew a much larger crowd than expected, leading to poor crowd control and several fans fainting or struggling to move safely. Organisers and Fola agreed to stop the performance rather than risk more injuries.
The apology has divided fans online. Some praised Fola for taking responsibility and prioritising safety, while others criticised planning and venue selection. Many urged organisers to improve logistics for future shows.
Fola’s label, Dangbana Republik, also issued a message acknowledging the shortcomings and saying they will work with partners to improve safety at upcoming performances. Fans are now watching for announcements on refunds or rescheduled dates.
The incident highlights growing pains for emerging Afrobeats stars transitioning to large live shows. It underscores the importance of crowd management, venue capacity planning and coordination between artistes and event promoters to prevent harm to fans.
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