Sitha Maliwa
In a move that has ignited fresh debates around censorship, protest music, and freedom of expression in Nigeria, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has officially banned veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest single, “Tell Your Papa,” from being aired on radio and television.
Citing the “objectionable nature” of the song, NBC issued a directive on April 9, 2025, classifying the politically charged track as “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB)” under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. This section prohibits content considered inappropriate or offensive from being aired on national broadcasting platforms.
In a memo signed by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, the NBC stated:
“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.
It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.
Your cooperation and commitment to upholding greatly appreciated. Thank you,
Susan Obi
Coordinating Director, Broadcast Monitoring.”
However, the ban appears to have had the opposite of its intended effect.
Released just days ago, “Tell Your Papa” targets Seyi Tinubu – son of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu – and challenges him to confront his father over the deteriorating socio-economic conditions in the country. The lyrics sung in Pidgin Englishpaint a grim picture of everyday struggles faced by Nigerians, addressing everything from insecurity to poverty.
“Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.
Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.
Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem.”
The track was reportedly inspired by Seyi Tinubu’s recent remarks in Adamawa State, where he described his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”
Since the NBC’s announcement, Nigerians across the globe have taken to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to express support for the song and its message. In what is shaping up to be a digital protest, hashtags like #TellYourPapa and #StreamTellYourPapa have begun trending, with thousands urging others to stream the song and make it even more popular.
Many see the NBC’s move as an attempt to silence dissent and shield political elites from public accountability. “They can ban it from the radio, but they can’t ban the truth,” wrote one user on X. Others have reposted clips of the song, encouraging followers to share it and “make it louder.”
Music critics and civil society groups have also weighed in, noting that the attempt to censor the track has only amplified its reach and message. “This is a classic case of the Streisand effect,” commented one observer. “By banning it, they’ve made sure even more people want to hear what’s in it.”
Abdulkareem is no stranger to controversy. His 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga” – a blunt critique of corruption and poor governance – was similarly banned by the government under President Olusegun Obasanjo. That track went on to become an anthem of political resistance, remembered decades later.
With “Tell Your Papa,” Abdulkareem seems to have reignited that same spirit of rebellion, tapping into deep frustrations shared by many Nigerians both at home and abroad.
While the NBC’s ban applies strictly to traditional media, the song continues to spread like wildfire online, raising questions about the relevance and reach of such censorship in the age of digital media. As more Nigerians rally around the track, “Tell Your Papa” may yet become another landmark moment in the country’s long history of resistance music.
In Nigeria, a large segment of the population lives in poverty, while a small, wealthy elite controls a significant share of the nation’s resources. This stark economic disparity is fueled by several longstanding issues, including overreliance on oil exports, inadequate infrastructure, systemic corruption, and poor governance. These challenges have hindered inclusive growth and equitable development. As a result, more than half of the Nigerian population lives below the poverty line, despite the country’s vast natural and human resources. – @NewsSA_Online