Fola Breaks Silence After Chaotic 2025 Concert Sparks Outrage

Rising Afrobeats sensation Fola has publicly addressed the uproar surrounding his highly anticipated 2025 headline concert in Lagos, offering an apology after the event was marred by safety concerns and an early shutdown.

The concert, held on December 15, 2025 at the Balmoral Event Center in Victoria Island, was billed as a defining moment in Fola’s blossoming career. The show meant to showcase his growing influence in the Afrobeats scene following hits like Alone and Who Does That, instead faced chaos as crowds greatly exceeded the venue’s capacity, leading to overcrowding and safety breaches.

Eyewitnesses and reports from attendees described scenes of panic when space constraints caused several fans to faint and struggle to navigate through the packed crowd. Organisers were forced to halt the performance midway in an effort to restore order and attend to those affected.

In the wake of the controversy, Fola took to social media to confront the situation head-on, issuing a heartfelt apology to fans who came out for the show. “My people, I’m really sorry about how last night went. People were hurt, and that should never happen,” he wrote, emphasising that safety must always come first. The artist acknowledged the disappointment felt by some fans, while reiterating his commitment to addressing concerns raised in the aftermath.

Fola’s record label, Dagbana Republik, also released a statement admitting that the event fell short of essential safety standards and that the venue’s capacity had been breached. The label said it is cooperating with organisers to ensure appropriate steps are taken for those affected and to prevent similar issues in future events.

The incident has sparked broader conversation across social media and among industry observers about concert safety, venue planning, and crowd control at live events in Nigeria. Many fans have called for stricter oversight by promoters and event planners to protect concertgoers, particularly as Afrobeats artists continue to attract larger audiences.

Despite the backlash, some supporters commended Fola for prioritising fan safety and taking accountability, a response that many felt demonstrated leadership amid an unfortunate situation.