Nigerian Broadcasting Commission Bans Eedris Abdulkareem’s Protest Song ‘Tell Your Papa’.
The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has imposed a nationwide ban on the latest protest song by veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, titled “Tell Your Papa”, prohibiting its airplay on radio and television stations across the country. The decision, announced earlier today, has sparked widespread discussion about freedom of expression and the role of music as a tool for social commentary in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Thursday, the NBC cited the song’s “objectionable nature” as the reason for the ban, arguing that its lyrics fail to meet the standards outlined in Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. This section prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or contrary to public decency from being broadcast. The commission specifically flagged the track’s politically charged lyrics, which call on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to address his father about Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.
Abdulkareem, a long-standing figure in Nigerian hip-hop known for his outspoken criticism of government policies, released “Tell Your Papa” earlier this week. The song, which has already gained traction on social media platforms, features hard-hitting lines such as: “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga,” referencing his 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga”, which similarly faced a ban for its critique of governmental failures. In the new track, he accuses the administration of unfulfilled promises and highlights the disconnect between Nigeria’s leaders and the struggles of ordinary citizens.
The NBC’s circular, signed by Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring Susan Obi and dated 9 April 2025, was addressed to all broadcast stations. It warned that airing the song would violate regulatory guidelines, declaring it “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB).” The commission urged stations to comply immediately, stating: “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature.”
Public reaction has been swift and polarised. On social media, supporters of the rapper have decried the ban as an attack on free speech. One user on X wrote, “Eedris has been the voice of the people for decades. Banning his music won’t silence the truth.”
This is not the first time Abdulkareem has clashed with authorities over his music. His 2004 single “Jaga Jaga”—a scathing commentary on Nigeria’s socio-political state—was also banned from airwaves, yet it became an anthem for a generation frustrated with systemic issues. The rapper has since maintained his reputation as a fearless advocate for the masses, often using his platform to highlight corruption, insecurity, and economic hardship.
Neither Abdulkareem nor Seyi Tinubu has publicly responded to the ban as of this evening. However, the controversy is likely to fuel further debate about the boundaries of artistic expression in Nigeria, especially at a time when the country grapples with rising inflation, kidnappings, and widespread dissatisfaction with governance.
The ban comes into effect immediately, though the song remains accessible on digital platforms like YouTube and Spotify, where it continues to gain streams. For now, Abdulkareem’s latest protest anthem may be silenced on traditional airwaves, but its message is resonating loudly in the digital sphere—and beyond.