NBC bans Eedris Abdulkareem song “Tell Your Papa” on Tv, Radio over objectionable content

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has placed a ban on the controversial song “Tell Your Papa” by Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, declaring it inappropriate for broadcast across radio and television stations in the country.

The track, which has been gaining attention on social media, was deemed objectionable under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits content that is considered offensive or breaches public decency standards.

The ban, which was issued in a memo dated April 9, 2025, by Susan Obi, the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, comes as Abdulkareem’s song continues to stir discussions, particularly due to its direct message to Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu. The rapper’s lyrics take aim at the socio-economic conditions in Nigeria, urging Seyi to confront his father over the country’s worsening situation.

The song’s content has been described as hard-hitting and critical, with Abdulkareem addressing issues like insecurity, economic hardships, and the growing divide between the elite and ordinary Nigerians. In the song, Abdulkareem raps:

“Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”

The rapper further criticizes Seyi Tinubu’s recent remarks, in which he called his father “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history,” and highlights the contrast between the privileges of the political elite and the suffering of the masses.

The NBC’s decision to classify the song as “Not To Be Broadcast” has sparked debates about freedom of expression and censorship in the Nigerian media landscape, especially as the song continues to trend online despite the regulatory action.

The commission’s directive urges media stations to exercise discretion and refrain from airing the song to maintain broadcasting standards.