By John Audu.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has barred all Nigerian radio and television stations from airing the trending song “Tell Your Papa” by veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, citing its “objectionable nature.”
In a memo dated April 9, 2025, Susan Obi, the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, declared the track “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB). This directive falls under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits the broadcast of content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or contrary to public decency.
According to the NBC, while “Tell Your Papa” has gained significant traction on social media, its lyrical content fails to meet the required standards for responsible broadcasting on Nigerian platforms.
The statement, titled “Restriction on broadcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,” explicitly states the commission’s decision: “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature. It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.”
The commission further instructed all broadcast stations to “exercise discretion and refrain from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.”
The controversial track, released earlier this week, directly addresses Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, urging him to inform his father about the worsening socio-economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
In the song, which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Abdulkareem delivers a blunt and critical message, painting a stark picture of the challenges confronting everyday citizens.
The song is a direct response to Seyi Tinubu’s recent remarks in Adamawa State, where he hailed his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”
In the hard-hitting lyrics, Abdulkareem raps lines such as, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga,” and “Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.”
He further urges Seyi Tinubu to experience the insecurity faced by ordinary Nigerians, rapping, “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.”
