The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has slammed a ban on the popular protest track “Tell Your Papa” by Nigerian hip-hop icon Eedris Abdulkareem, declaring the song unfit for radio and television broadcasts across the country.
In a memo dated April 9, 2025, signed by Susan Obi, NBC’s Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, the commission cited the song’s “objectionable nature” and classified it as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
This section bars any material considered indecent, offensive, or inappropriate for public airwaves.
The protest anthem has been trending heavily on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with many Nigerians resonating with its powerful message.
But the NBC insists that despite the song’s popularity online, it does not meet broadcasting standards due to its harsh lyrical tone.
The statement reads:
“The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem as inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature. It is hereby listed as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) as it violates the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.”
NBC urged all radio and TV stations to avoid airing the song in a bid to maintain what it described as “responsible broadcasting standards.”
What’s the Song About?
“Tell Your Papa” is a bold callout directed at Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In the song, Eedris paints a stark picture of Nigeria’s current economic hardships and insecurity, urging Seyi to confront his father with the truth.
Some lines from the song include:
“Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”
He didn’t hold back, also rapping:
“Seyi, try travel by road without your security, make you feel the pain of ordinary Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem.”
Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest music isn’t new to controversy. But this latest ban has sparked debates on censorship, free speech, and the right of artists to speak truth to power.
Stay with NIGPOST as we follow the reactions and unfolding updates.
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