Nigeria’s broadcast regulator has banned the airing of a politically charged song, Tell Your Papa, by veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem. The track, which criticises President Bola Tinubu and highlights widespread economic hardship and insecurity in the country, has sparked significant public debate and viral attention on social media.
In a directive issued to radio and television stations, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) declared the song “inappropriate” and “objectionable,” stating it violates Nigeria’s broadcast code. The NBC argued that the lyrics fall short of public decency standards and has warned broadcasters of potential sanctions if the track is aired.
Released earlier this week, Tell Your Papa takes aim at President Tinubu’s policies and his influential son, Seyi Tinubu. Sung in a mix of English, Yoruba, and Pidgin, the song accuses the president of failing Nigerians and delivering “too many empty promises.” Abdulkareem calls on Seyi to inform his father that “people are dying” due to hunger and rising insecurity, and challenges him to travel by road rather than private jet to experience the country’s unsafe conditions.
Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has implemented sweeping economic reforms, including removing the decades-old fuel subsidy. This move, while intended to stabilize the economy long-term, led to a sharp spike in fuel prices and a broader increase in the cost of living. With inflation soaring above 30% and basic food prices doubling, many Nigerians are now struggling to afford regular meals.
The government has defended its policies as necessary for long-term stability, noting a cash transfer program aimed at supporting 15 million low-income households. Officials also claim improvements in national security, despite ongoing threats such as kidnapping-for-ransom and fears of renewed Boko Haram activity.
This is not Abdulkareem’s first run-in with authorities. In 2003, his hit song Nigeria Jaga Jaga was similarly banned by the government of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo but went on to become a widely embraced protest anthem.
As Tell Your Papa gains popularity online despite the ban, it reignites a familiar debate over free expression and the power of music in Nigerian political discourse.
