GistNexus – April 10, 2025
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has officially banned the controversial protest song, “Tell Your Papa,” sung by Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, from being broadcast on every television and radio in the country. The protest song criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration has caused general controversy on social media and among members of the Nigerian public. Despite the ban on the mainstream media, the song continues to grow in popularity on the internet.
The Ban and Official Statement
On April 9, 2025, the NBC issued a memo to all the television and radio stations in Nigeria informing them of the ban on the broadcast of the song. The memo, signed by Susan Obi, Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring in the NBC, cited the song’s “objectionable nature” as the primary reason for the ban. The memo referred specifically to Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits content that is offensive, indecent, or against public decency. The directive labeled the song as “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB), barring it from broadcasting on any broadcast medium. The commission urged the stations to adhere to the ban in a bid to promote responsible standards in broadcasting and avoid any potential violations of the Code.
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The memo read in part:
The National Broadcasting Commission has marked the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, presently trending on the internet, as content which is objectionable and ought not to be broadcast. It therefore falls under Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it breaches Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
It ended on a positive note of appeal to cooperation by stating, “Your cooperation and commitment to practicing responsible broadcasting standards are highly valued.”.
What’s in the Song?
Earlier this week, “Tell Your Papa” quickly went viral on social media due to its blunt criticism of Nigeria’s socio-economic situation under President Bola Tinubu. The song openly speaks to Seyi Tinubu, President Bola Tinubu’s son, and calls on him to inform his father of the struggles common Nigerians are facing.
In the uncompromising and bare-limbed lyrics of the song, Abdulkareem paints a grim portrait of life’s daily challenges in Nigeria.
Among the more provocative lines, one encourages Seyi to report to his father, “country hard,” the financial hardship that faces the people in the country. Abdulkareem also raises the issue of insecurity, telling Seyi, “try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians.”. You take private jets, insecurity ain’t your headache. The song also addresses what Abdulkareem believes are broken promises the president has made, calling Seyi to just take Nigerians’ problems right before his dad.
With biting sarcasm, Abdulkareem raps, “Seyi, go tell your papa people are dying. Go tell your papa this one has gone past jagajaga,” referring to the increased frequency of violence and kidnappings which are impacting Nigerians.
This tune comes as a direct response to a public statement made by Seyi Tinubu in Adamawa State, where he referred to his father as “the greatest president Nigeria has ever had.” Abdulkareem’s tune has been mostly viewed as a refutation of such a declaration, requesting the presence of reality with regard to the circumstance faced by ordinary Nigerians, especially in regards to security and economic hardship.
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The NBC’s Concerns and Legal Justifications
Prohibition of “Tell Your Papa” has instigated controversy regarding censorship and freedom of expression in Nigeria. The NBC’s justification for the prohibition cites the song’s perceived transgression on public decency and offensiveness. Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code stipulates that material should not be broadcast if it is deemed to be offensive or inappropriate to public sensibilities.
The National Broadcasting Commission has often come under fire for its move in regulating content within Nigeria’s media. The commission is blamed as being overly controlling at times, particularly regarding content that aims to challenge the status quo or strike at the government.
However, in justifying itself, the NBC contended that its move was intended at preserving the broadcast quality standards of the country as well as maintaining that broadcast matter, as well as that on television and radio, is a reflection of the public decency culture. The Commission has not clarified whether there was a specific complaint from the people or bodies prior to the ban.
Eedris Abdulkareem Responds to the Ban
Following the ban, Eedris Abdulkareem took to social media to express his indignation. The veteran rapper, never afraid of trouble, vented his fury against the Nigerian government’s handling of dissent and constructive criticism. On his official Facebook account, Abdulkareem accused the government of stifling free speech and silencing critics of its policies.
He posted:
“It is apparent that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism always constitutes a big crime in the eyes of the government. The current administration under President Bola Tinubu has now become on record as being one of the most insensitive, vindictive, and grossly wicked administrations to ever run the affairs of Nigeria.”
Abdulkareem also compared the ban on “Tell Your Papa” to his earlier ban in 2004 on his song “Jaga Jaga” by the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. The rapper reminisced about his past experience with censorship and how it has affected his current outlook on freedom of speech. He continued to denounce the current government for what he termed the failure to keep promises and ignoring the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
He continued:
“Just approximately two years of his rule, and the result is just abysmally terrifying from every corner. This is the truth, which all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe, and political affiliations, know apart from the few happy slaves scrambling for crumbs from the table of their paymaster!
Abdulkareem’s response points towards an overarching issue of political and societal discontent amongst a vast chunk of the Nigerian citizenry. Plenty of Nigerians have weighed in with identical viewpoints on the leadership of the country, particularly relating to security challenges, employment issues, and issues of economic insecurity.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Debate
Despite the ban on mainstream media, “Tell Your Papa” has continued to stir waves on social media, where it has become a symbol of defiance and resistance.
A number of Nigerians have praised Abdulkareem for being bold to speak truth to power and using his music as a tool of social change. Others have further argued that outlawing the song only makes the song more popular, as additional people try to listen to the song online due to its notorious status. The song has triggered a wider discussion about censorship, freedom of speech, and the role of art in serving as a vehicle for keeping governments accountable. Whereas some proponents of the government have criticized Abdulkareem’s song as disrespectful, many others have declared their support, perceiving it as a representation of frustrations by ordinary Nigerians.
GistNexus Reporter went Further to State that
The banning of Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest song “Tell Your Papa” has been the latest point of contention in the ongoing struggle for free speech and political expression in Nigeria. The government’s action to ban the song from being aired on radio and television is likely to stoke the controversy surrounding media freedom in the country, particularly in the wake of growing discontent with the attitude of the present administration towards Nigeria’s most urgent problems.
As the song continues to circulate on social media, it remains to be seen how it will shape the wider conversation on governance and the ability of music and art to shape public conversation. Meanwhile, “Tell Your Papa” is a bold and provocative stance, one which has captured the attention of Nigerians across the board.
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Reported by GistNexus Team and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka