Image: Idris Abdulkareem
Temitayo Olumofe
On April 10, 2025, Nigerian veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem released a protest song titled “Tell Your Papa,” which quickly stirred a nationwide debate on the limits of artistic expression and government censorship. The song directly criticizes President Bola Tinubu’s administration, highlighting the harsh economic realities and security challenges facing ordinary Nigerians. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) swiftly banned the song from radio and television airplay, citing its objectionable nature and violation of broadcasting codes. This move has ignited a fierce clash between advocates of artistic freedom and government authorities seeking to regulate public discourse.
Eedris Abdulkareem’s “Tell Your Papa” is a bold musical response to comments made by Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, who recently described his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history. Abdulkareem’s lyrics counter this praise by urging Seyi to inform his father about the grim realities Nigerians face daily: hunger, insecurity, economic hardship, and broken promises.
The song’s chorus bluntly states, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga”.
Abdulkareem highlights the removal of fuel subsidies, soaring inflation, and widespread insecurity, challenging the president’s narrative of progress and reform. He raps, “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”.
NBC responded by issuing a directive on April 9, 2025, banning the song from broadcast under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, which prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency. The commission described the song as “objectionable in nature” and unfit for public airing, warning broadcasters to refrain from playing it to maintain “responsible broadcasting standards.
This ban has been met with widespread criticism from civil society groups, music industry stakeholders, and advocates of free speech. The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) warned that the ban could backfire by amplifying the song’s reach and relevance amid Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) condemned NBC’s action as a blatant abuse of regulatory power, while the civil society organization SERAP announced plans to legally challenge the ban within 48 hours.
Artistic Freedom vs. Government Censorship: Voices from Both Sides
Eedris Abdulkareem has publicly condemned the ban, likening it to the censorship he faced in 2004 with his hit “Jaga Jaga,” which was also banned for its critical content. He accused the current administration of being “insensitive and vindictive” toward dissent and constructive criticism. Abdulkareem stated, “It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government”.
In an interview, Abdulkareem emphasized his role as an artist to amplify the voices of ordinary Nigerians, saying, I don’t want anybody to talk to him back; he should have just kept quiet. It’s my responsibility and the responsibility of Nigeria to let you know that his opinion is opinion, not the reality that is happening in Nigeria… President Tinubu lied about subsidies, economic recovery, fixing the naira, and fighting corruption. That is exactly what ‘Papa’ is all about”.
The ban has also sparked allegations of attempts to suppress Abdulkareem’s activism through bribery. The rapper revealed he was offered a N200 million bribe by an individual claiming to be a senator, purportedly to support him underground and dissuade him from speaking out. Abdulkareem rejected the offer, accusing those behind it of trying to manipulate and discredit him.
On the other hand, NBC maintains that its role is to enforce broadcasting standards and protect public decency. The commission insists that the song’s content breaches national broadcast regulations and that the ban is a lawful exercise of its regulatory mandate. NBC’s memo to broadcasters stated, “…the commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards”.
This clash underscores the tension between government efforts to control narratives and the artists’ pursuit of freedom of expression, especially in a country grappling with significant political and economic turmoil.
The debate over “Tell Your Papa” is not just about a song; it reflects deeper issues of governance, accountability, and the right of citizens to speak truth to power. As Nigerians continue to stream the banned track online in defiance of the ban evidenced by its soaring views and streams on YouTube and Spotify, the controversy highlights the power of art to challenge authority and provoke national conversations.
For Abdulkareem, the ban is a familiar story. His 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga” was similarly banned for its critical take on government failures, yet it became an anthem of protest and resilience, cementing his reputation as a fearless voice for the people. The artist’s latest clash with authorities has only reinforced his commitment to using music as a tool for social commentary.
In a Facebook post responding to the ban, Abdulkareem wrote, It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed as a big crime.
The lyrics of “Tell Your Papa” pull no punches, directly addressing Seyi Tinubu and, by extension, President Bola Tinubu. Abdulkareem calls out the president’s son for praising his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history” while ordinary Nigerians grapple with hunger, insecurity, and broken promises. The song’s chorus “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die.
Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga” has resonated with many who feel left behind by recent government policies.
The ban has also raised broader questions about the role of censorship in Nigerian society. Critics argue that suppressing dissenting voices only deepens public distrust and stifles necessary dialogue about the nation’s future. Supporters of Abdulkareem’s right to free expression point out that music and art have historically played a crucial role in holding leaders accountable and reflecting the realities of everyday life.
Meanwhile, NBC maintains its mandate is to uphold responsible broadcasting and protect public decency. The commission insists that the song’s content crosses the line into offensiveness and that the ban is a lawful exercise of its regulatory powers. However, this justification has done little to quell the outcry from those who see the move as politically motivated and symptomatic of a broader intolerance for criticism.
As the controversy continues, neither Eedris Abdulkareem nor Seyi Tinubu has issued a detailed public response to the ban. Yet, the ongoing popularity of “Tell Your Papa” suggests that the conversation it sparked is far from over. For many Nigerians, the song has become a rallying cry a reminder that, even in the face of censorship, the demand for accountability and justice will find its voice, whether through music, social media, or the streets.
