By Olaitan Ibrahim
The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has ordered radio and television stations in the country not to air trending song “Tell Your Papa” in which rapper Eedris Abdulkareem criticises the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The NBC gave the order in a memo dated April 9, 2025 signed by its Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi.
According to the memo, the track fits into category of Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code prohibits content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or in breach of public decency from being aired on Nigerian broadcast platforms.
NBC, noted that while the song has become popular across social media platforms, its lyrical content fails to meet the standards of responsible broadcasting.
The statement titled, “Restriction on boradcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,’ read, “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 requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.
“Your cooperation and commitment to upholding greatly appreciated. Thank you, Susan Obi -Coordinating Director, Broadcast Monitoring.”
Eedris had in the recently released music track asked Seyi, the son of President Bola Tinubu to tell his father that Nigerians are suffering as a result of worsening socio-economic conditions in Nigeria.
In the track titled “Tell Your Papa,” Abdulkareem complained about the day to day hardships Nigerians are confronted with.
It was believed that the song was released in response to recent assertion by Seyi Tinubu that his father is “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.”