The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sued the National Broadcasting Commission over its ban on Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa.”
The song, which criticises President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, was recently banned from being played on radio and television. NBC claimed the track was “objectionable” and went against public decency rules.
But SERAP, in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos with case number FHC/L/CS/797/2025, said the ban is illegal. The group is asking the court to cancel the ban and stop NBC or any other authority from enforcing it again.
SERAP argued that the ban violates Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom.
“The ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s song has a chilling effect on freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom,” SERAP said.
The organisation believes the song is a form of artistic expression and part of the political conversation that should be allowed in a democracy.
“Public decency cannot be used as an excuse to silence opinions, especially those that criticise the government,” the group added.
SERAP also said the NBC failed to show how the song poses any real danger to the public or national security.
“The NBC has not demonstrated that the song poses any specific risk to legitimate state interests that outweigh the public’s right to the information provided by the song,” the group said.
It further explained that freedom of speech includes the right to express views that may offend, shock, or challenge people — especially in politics.
SERAP also said the NBC’s decision goes against international laws that Nigeria has signed, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“Banning creative expressions like this song stifles debate and hampers the functioning of democracy,” SERAP stated.
The court has not yet fixed a date to hear the case.
