The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has officially barred the protest song “Tell Your Papa” by veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem from being aired on Nigerian radio and television.
In a memo dated April 9, 2025, and signed by Susan Obi, Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, the NBC declared the song “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB)” under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, citing its “objectionable nature” and stating that it contains material deemed offensive, indecent, or contrary to public decency.
Despite gaining traction online, the NBC insists the lyrics violate guidelines for responsible broadcasting.
“The song ‘Tell Your Papa’ is considered inappropriate for public broadcast due to its offensive content,” the memo reads. “We urge all stations to avoid airing it in the interest of maintaining professional and ethical standards.”
Lyrics Stir Controversy
Released just days ago, “Tell Your Papa” takes aim at Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, and offers scathing criticism of the current administration’s handling of the economy and national security.
In the song, Abdulkareem raps:
“Seyi, tell your papa country hard.
Tell your papa people dey die.
This one don pass jagajaga.”
He challenges Seyi Tinubu to experience life without privilege “You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem.”
The song was reportedly inspired by Seyi Tinubu’s recent comments in Adamawa State, where he praised his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”
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