NBC bans Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest song ‘Tell Your Papa’ from radio, TV
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has prohibited the broadcast of veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s new protest track, “Tell Your Papa,” on all Nigerian radio and television stations, labeling the song as “objectionable.”
In a memo dated April 9, 2025, and signed by Susan Obi, the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, the NBC classified the song as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. This section prohibits the airing of material considered inappropriate, offensive, or contrary to public decency.
Despite gaining traction on social media, the NBC stated that the song’s lyrical content falls short of the standards expected of responsible broadcast material.
In the notice titled “Restriction on Broadcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,” the commission wrote:
“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.”
The track, released earlier this week and shared on X (formerly Twitter), is a pointed critique aimed at Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu. In the song, Abdulkareem calls on Seyi to confront his father over Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis and rising insecurity.
“Tell Your Papa” was a direct response to Seyi Tinubu’s recent remarks in Adamawa State, where he described his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”
In the provocative verses, Abdulkareem raps:
“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 song has stirred intense public discourse online, with many Nigerians praising Abdulkareem for his boldness, while others debate the NBC’s decision as censorship.
