The National Broadcasting Commission has banned the trendy song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by veteran musician and rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem. The song was deemed as ‘objectionable’ and not suited for public consumption.
As the regulatory body for broadcasting in Nigeria, NBC has directed all television and radio stations not to air the song. Their press release confirmed this decision, stating:
‘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 exercise discretion and refrain from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards. Your cooperation and commitment to upholding it is greatly appreciated.’
Consequently, numerous organisations like Amnesty International, Media Rights Agenda and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned NBC for its action.
Abdulkareem, regarded as one of the pioneers of Nigerian hip-hop music, is no stranger to conflict with the government. In 2003, the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration banned the artist’s song ‘Jaga Jaga’, with the president publicly insulting him.
He recently posted a video of ‘Tell Your Papa’ on YouTube, which garnered over 130,000 views in just two days. Many commenters praised Abdulkareem’s bold stance against poor governance. Some even encouraged him to create a similar song addressing issues in Ghana.
The song delivers a powerful message, urging Seyi Tinubu to tell his father, Bola Tinubu, to improve conditions in the country. Abdulkareem highlights the dire state of infrastructure, stating how roads are unsafe for travel and how corruption and poverty have deeply affected society.
In the song, he makes statements such as ‘Tell your Papa people dey die,’ and ‘Tell your Papa country no good, this one pass Jagajaga.’
Also, he drew attention in 2024 with his release of ‘Emi Lokan,’ where he criticized both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations. In the same vein, he admonished religious leaders for their silence on issues of maladministration.
Known for addressing societal issues through his music, Abdulkareem’s latest song clearly resonates with many Nigerians who support his message.