National Broadcasting Commission Issues Ban
Lagos -Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has banned Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest song, “Tell Your Papa,” from the country’s airwaves. The commission ordered radio and television stations to stop broadcasting the track, citing objectionable content. The NBC bans Eedris Abdulkareem song based on its assessment against the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The NBC officially labeled the song “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB) in a directive dated April 9, 2025, referencing Section 3.1.8 of the broadcasting code. The agency noted the song’s popularity online but determined its lyrics do not meet public broadcasting standards. The NBC enforces these standards for all broadcast content in Nigeria.
Lyrics Target President’s Son Over National Hardship
“Tell Your Papa” directly addresses Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu. Abdulkareem’s lyrics urge Seyi to tell his father about the difficulties Nigerians are experiencing. Key lines include, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die.” The song appeared after Seyi Tinubu publicly called his father Nigeria’s “greatest president.” This direct criticism contributed to the decision that the NBC bans Eedris Abdulkareem song.
