The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has banned Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa” from airing on television and radio, condemning its lyrics.
In a notice circulated to all broadcast stations on April 9, NBC said the song, which has gained traction on social media, violates section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and should be classified as “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB).
NBC warned broadcast radio and television stations from airing the song, which criticises President Bola Tinubu’s government, to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.
“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,” NBC said in the notice signed by Susan Obi, its coordinating director of broadcast monitoring.
The song was released on April 6 after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, called his father “the greatest president in the history of Nigeria.”
The song lyrics read, “Tell your papa, Seyi, tell your papa country hard, tell your papa, Seyi, people dey die, tell your papa, Seyi, this one don pass Jagajaga.
“Seyi, try to travel by road without your security, make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem.”
This is not the first time Mr Abdulkareem has triggered backlash from authorities. In 2002, his controversial hit “Jaga Jaga” was also banned from radio stations after projecting the suffering and corrupt state of the country.