Nigerian music rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has described the federal government’s banning of his latest song, Tell Your Papa, as a suppression of truth and constructive criticism.
Broadcast of the song, Tell Your Papa, which was released earlier in the week, was officially banned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) across radio and television platforms in the country.
The ban was contained in a memo dated 9 April, 2025, signed by the Commission’s Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, and addressed to Nigerian radio and television stations.
The memo to the television and radio station was titled “Restriction on Broadcasting Tell Your Papa by Eedris Abdulkareem.”
The Commission declared what was seen as the anti-President Bola Tinubu song ‘Not To Be Broadcast’ (NTBB), citing its “objectionable nature” and a violation of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
However, Eedris posted on his Facebook page that the decision to ban Tell Your Papa, his latest single, was made because saying the truth and engaging in constructive criticism were crimes in the country.
He wrote: “It’s obvious that in Nigeria, Truth and constructive criticism is always deemed as a big crime by the government, and 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.
“Just under 2 years of his presidency, and the results are just frighteningly abysmal from all fronts.
And this is a fact, known by all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe and political affiliations, except for the few happy slaves grovelling for crumps from their paymaster’s table!
“The attached letter has been sent to all broadcast houses in Nigeria, instructing them to shield the government by hiding the candle under the table.
“Well, I have travelled this road before as this is reminiscent of the ban of my song “Jaga Jaga”, by the Obasanjo administration 21 years ago!”
NBC’s order Eedris’ Tell Your Papa
NBC’s directive, “Restriction on Broadcasting Tell Your Papa by Eedris Abdulkareem,” stated that “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.”
“Section 3.1.8 of the Code prohibits the broadcast of content considered “inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency.”
The Commission further urged radio and TV stations to comply with the directive: “The commission requests that your station exercise discretion and refrain from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.
“Your cooperation and commitment to upholding [these standards are] greatly appreciated.”
Eedris Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa” criticises Nigeria’s leadership and socio-economic conditions.
The song was seen as a response to recent remarks made by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Tinubu, when, during an outing in Adamawa State, he described his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”
Eedris reacts to Seyi Tinubu’s remarks
In response to Seyi’s assertion, Eedris Abdulkareem, in Tell Your Papa, urged him to speak to his father about the socio-economic hardships ordinary Nigerians are going through.
Eedris Abdulkareem rapped, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don’t 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.”
Notwithstanding the ban on traditional media, Tell Your Papa is trending across social media platforms. Nigerians described it as a bold effort by the music rapper to speak the truth about the country’s current realities.
