The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a directive to all broadcast stations, imposing a ban on the airing of Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest protest song, ‘Tell Your Papa.’
In a letter dated April 9, 2025, the NBC classified the song as “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB)” due to its “objectionable nature,” stating that it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
“The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem… as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature,” the letter read.
The Commission urged all stations to exercise discretion and refrain from airing the song, stating, “Your station [should] refrain from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.”
‘Tell Your Papa’ is a politically charged track in which Abdulkareem calls out Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, urging him to inform his father about the state of the nation.
The rapper criticises the worsening economic and security conditions in the country and challenges the younger Tinubu to live like ordinary Nigerians.
The song was released shortly after Seyi Tinubu publicly described his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history,” a comment that sparked backlash amid ongoing national hardships.
Eedris Abdulkareem is no stranger to controversy.
His 2004 hit ‘Jaga Jaga’ was also banned from airplay due to its criticism of government failures. The ban on ‘Tell Your Papa’ is seen by many as a continuation of his long-standing tradition of musical activism.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Eedris Abdulkareem nor Seyi Tinubu has publicly responded to the broadcast ban.
