Nigerian Afrobeats star Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, is facing intense backlash online after reports revealed that tickets for his upcoming Lagos show will start at N300,000.
The singer is scheduled to perform on December 24 at the Eko Convention Center as part of Flytime Fest 2025, an annual December concert series backed this year by Coca-Cola. While Asake is known for delivering electrifying, high-energy performances, many fans say the price is simply too steep.
Once the pricing leaked, social media erupted with mixed reactions. Many fans argued that the lowest-tier ticket roughly $200, is more expensive than some of Asake’s international shows in the US and UK, where tickets often cost under $100 for regular seating.
An X influencer and music enthusiast, Basito wrote:
“Paying $200 for standing tickets to see Asake in Nigeria while people in diaspora pay less than $100 is diabolical.”
There are at least fifty other fun activities you can spend 300k on instead of paying to watch a Nigerian artiste perform in Nigeria.”
Someone also said, “If you talk, they will call you a hater. Why are tickets in his home country more expensive than tickets abroad? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? You will pay N300,000 and still stand through the night. Lmao I am loved at home abeg.”
“No offence but any Nigerian living in 9ja that pays $200 for Asake standing ticket is a fool,” Sage replied.
Amid the outrage, fans began comparing Asake’s ticket fees with other December events, with his former record label mate, Fireboy DML’s show at N35,000, and several other December concerts, ranging between N10,000 and N50,000.
Someone said, “Emma OMG – Dec 19 (10k) Beautiful Nubia – Dec 14 (10k) No be me una go use pressure kill.”
An X user, Dolapo said, “These are the issues. 300k for a concert in Lagos when I won’t get the same quality as the show in London that is equivalent to 100k naira.”
Despite the heavy criticism, some supporters defended Asake and Flytime Fest, arguing that Nigeria’s inflation has inflated the cost of production. Some defended that Asake is the biggest artiste in Africa right now, and the amount shows his worth.
A defender, Preshly wrote:
“It’s the inflation in your country, you want the organizers to fix the prices at 10k and run at a huge loss? Do you know how much they are investing into these concerts? Let’s not start acting like we don’t know how things are in Nigeria.”
Another one said, “Flytime shows are not regular concerts. If you can’t afford it, there are other shows this December.”
Beyond the banter, the reactions reflect a deeper tension between Nigerians’ passion for entertainment during Detty December and the harsh economic realities currently affecting many households.
Let hear you in the comment.
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