NBC Slams, Bans Eedris Abdulkareem’s Protest Song ‘Tell Your Papa’

For the second time in the life of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, broadcast media regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has descended heavily on veteran rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, banning his latest work, Tell Your Papa, from the country’s airwaves.

The NBC slapped the ban on the song via a memo dated April 9, 2025, and issued by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, citing its “objectionable nature.”

In the memo, the commission declared the track “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

The section prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms.

Although the NBC acknowledged that the song had gained momentum across social media platforms, its lyrics falls short of the standards prescribed by responsible broadcasting.

“It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code,” the NBC concluded in the memo.

“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 controversial song, released earlier this week, seeks to counter the claim by the President’s son, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, who, while distributing ‘Sallah palliatives’ in the North, dubbed his father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as best President Nigeria has ever had.

Not a few Nigerians felt enraged by Mr. Seyi Tinubu’s claim with many seeing such comment as insensitive granting the worsening socio-economic situation in the country.

On Sunday, Eedris Abdulkareem set social media on fire when he dropped the track, Tell Your Papa, on X.

delivered a blunt message, painting a grim picture of the hardships facing everyday Nigerians.

In the hard-hitting lyrics, Abdulkareem painted a grim picture of the hardships Nigerians grapple with daily, slamming the President’s son: “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”

The rapper sings further: “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.”