Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, has criticised the National Broadcasting Commission for banning his latest protest song titled Tell Your Papa, saying the move shows that “truth and constructive criticism is a crime in Nigeria.”
The NBC, in a memo dated April 9, 2025, placed a ban on the song, saying it goes against Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The section warns against airing materials seen as “objectionable.” The song was marked as “Not To Be Broadcast” across all Nigerian radio and TV stations.
Reacting on his Instagram page on Thursday, Abdulkareem described the ban as politically motivated and aimed at silencing free speech.
“NBC just banned my new single Tell Your Papa… It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government,” he wrote.
He also accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of not tolerating opposing views and compared the current situation to the 2004 ban of his hit song Jaga Jaga under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“This present government led by President Bola Tinubu is now going on record as one of the most insensitive, vindictive and grossly maleficent administration ever to preside over the affairs of Nigeria,” he added.
The rapper claimed the NBC’s action was part of a plan to protect the government from criticism.
“They are instructing broadcast houses to shield the government by hiding the candle under the table… Any wonder why Nigeria hasn’t made impactful strides all these years? The conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it. Aluta Continua!” he said.
Tell Your Papa is a protest song believed to target some actions and policies of the Tinubu administration. In it, Abdulkareem also throws jabs at the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, with the line: “Your papa no try.”
The ban has drawn mixed reactions online and among civil society groups, with many questioning the state of freedom of expression in the country.
