Veteran Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, has criticised the National Broadcasting Commission following its decision to ban his new single, ‘Tell Your Papa’, from airplay across broadcast stations, labeling the move as an attempt to silence truth and suppress constructive criticism.
The NBC, in a memo dated April 9, 2025, announced the banning of the song, citing violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, specifically Section 3.1.8, which pertains to the broadcast of materials considered to be of an “objectionable nature.”
The song was officially labeled “Not To Be Broadcast”
Reacting via his official Instagram account on Thursday, Abdulkareem described the ban as a politically-motivated attempt to suppress freedom of expression and stifle critical voices.
He accused the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, of intolerance toward dissent.
“NBC just banned my new single ‘Tell Your Papa’… It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government,” Abdulkareem wrote.
Abdulkareem compared the situation to the 2004 censorship of his protest anthem, Jaga Jaga, under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, questioning the nation’s democratic progress.
“This present government led by President Bola Tinubu is now going on record as one of the most insensitive, vindictive and grossly maleficent administration ever to preside over the affairs of Nigeria,” he added.
The artist further alleged that the NBC’s directive was a deliberate effort to shield the government from public accountability.
“They are instructing broadcast houses to shield the government by hiding the candle under the table… Any wonder why Nigeria hasn’t made impactful strides all these years? The conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it. Aluta Continua!” he noted
