The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has banned the latest song by veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, titled “Tell Your Papa”, from airing on radio and television stations across the country.
The move has sparked national outrage, with critics calling it a direct attack on freedom of expression.
In a memo dated April 9, 2025, the NBC described the song as “unfit for broadcast,” citing a violation of Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits materials considered “objectionable” or “contrary to public decency.”
The Nigeria Broadcasting Code is a regulatory framework established by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to govern the operations of all radio and television stations in Nigeria.
The commission accused the track of inciting public unrest through political commentary deemed inflammatory.
“Tell Your Papa” is a biting critique of the current administration, particularly its economic policies under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The song aims at the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in response to his now-viral remarks encouraging struggling Nigerians to “talk to their parents” instead of blaming the government for economic hardship.
Abdulkareem uses the song to express the frustrations of ordinary Nigerians over issues such as subsidy removal, inflation, and declining living standards.
Despite the ban, the track has continued to trend across social media platforms, with many Nigerians citing the song as a reference to the economic crisis.
Eedris Abdulkareem, no stranger to political controversy, condemned the NBC’s decision as an attempt to muzzle dissent.
Drawing parallels to the censorship of his iconic 2004 song “Jaga Jaga”, which criticized then-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Abdulkareem insisted that artists must be allowed to speak truth to power.
“This is a democracy, not a dictatorship. Silencing the truth will not stop the suffering of the masses. If they ban the song on radio, the streets will still sing it.” Abdulkareem said in a statement.
The banning of Abdulkareem’s song is the latest in a series of censorship actions, drawing comparisons to: “This Is Nigeria” by Falz (2018), Media houses fined for airing footage from #EndSARS protests in 2020.
Human rights organizations have also criticized the NBC’s move.
Amnesty International Nigeria described the ban as “bizarre” and a dangerous infringement on artistic freedom and freedom of expression.
As the backlash continues to build, the controversy over “Tell Your Papa” highlights a deepening tension in Nigeria’s political and cultural space, one where music and art remain powerful tools for resistance, but are increasingly targeted by regulatory authorities.
While the airwaves remain silent, the song’s message continues to echo in homes, streets, and digital platforms across the nation.
